Weight gain, kidney damage and sexual health are harmful effects of excess sugar

Eating too much sugar can make your skin age faster. It damages proteins that keep your skin firm and smooth, making you look older. (Image: Canva)

Excessive sugar consumption is harmful because it can lead to a myriad of health problems. Firstly, it contributes to weight gain and obesity as sugary foods and drinks are high in calories but low in essential nutrients, leading to an imbalance in energy intake. High sugar intake also raises the risk of heart disease by promoting inflammation, thickening artery walls, and increasing blood pressure. Additionally, it negatively impacts dental health by fuelling the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, leading to cavities and gum disease, says Delhi-based dentist Sonali Khurrana, also the founder of Dermavive.

Let’s take a detailed look on how too much of sugar consumption is harmful for your body as suggested by Bangalore based cardiologist Piyali Sharma.

Brain and mood: Sugar makes you feel good because it releases a chemical called dopamine in your brain. But if you eat too much, your brain starts to rely on it too much, which can make you feel moody and even sad.

Teeth: Eating lots of sugar can make your teeth rot. Bacteria in your mouth love sugar and they use it to make acid that eats away at your teeth.

Joints: If your joints hurt, sugar might be making it worse. Eating too much sugar can make inflammation in your body worse, which can make joint pain worse too.

Skin: Eating too much sugar can make your skin age faster. It damages proteins that keep your skin firm and smooth, making you look older.

Liver: Your liver must work really hard to process all the sugar you eat. Too much sugar can make your liver sick, leading to diseases like fatty liver.

Heart: Sugar isn't good for your heart either. Too much sugar can make your arteries thick and inflamed, which can lead to heart problems.

Pancreas: Eating too much sugar makes your pancreas work overtime, which can lead to diabetes.

Kidneys: Sugar can damage your kidneys too, making it hard for them to clean your blood.

Weight: Eating too much sugar makes you gain weight because it makes your fat cells swell up.

Sexual health: For men, too much sugar can mess with the blood flow needed for erections.

It's important to be careful about how much sugar you eat. Here are some easy tips to help you eat less sugar:

• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
• Eat whole fruits instead of sugary snacks.
• Choose natural nut butter instead of sugary spreads.
• Check food labels for hidden sugars.
• Cook your own meals using fresh ingredients to avoid added sugars.