In the minds of many people, sugar is only really worrying when it is associated with diabetes.
However, according to endocrinologists, excess sugar in the daily diet also silently negatively affects many other organs of the body, from the heart, liver, brain to mental health and skin.
Dr. Radhika Vijayaraghavan, an endocrinologist at SPARSH Hospital (India), warns that consuming too much sugar for a long time can cause chronic inflammation, hormonal disorders and create metabolic stress throughout the body.
It is worth mentioning that these effects do not appear immediately but accumulate gradually, only detected when the disease has progressed severely.
First of all, sugar is an important risk factor that increases diabetes and related complications.
Regular use of sugary drinks and processed foods increases blood sugar levels, promoting insulin resistance. When diabetes is not well controlled, the risk of eye, kidney, nerve and cardiovascular damage will increase significantly.
Not only that, a diet high in sugar is also related to the risk of cancer. According to Dr. Vijayaraghavan, sugar does not directly cause cancer but contributes to obesity and chronic inflammation, which are two important risk factors.
Many studies also show that high sugar consumption, especially from sugary drinks, can increase the risk of cancer in some population groups.
For cardiovascular disease, sugar disrupts blood fat when it increases bad cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides and reduces good cholesterol (HDL).
Over time, this condition promotes atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, even in people who do not yet have diabetes.
The liver is also a heavily affected organ. Fructose in supplements is mainly metabolized in the liver.
When consumed excessively, this substance easily leads to fat accumulation in the liver, increasing the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, even progressing to hepatitis and cirrhosis.
Besides, sugar contributes to weight gain and obesity due to providing a lot of energy but less feeling of fullness.
Hormonal disorders regulating appetite make weight control increasingly difficult, creating a metabolic disease vortex.
Few people would have thought that sugar also affects mental and brain health. Strong fluctuations in blood sugar can affect neurotransmitters, increasing the risk of depression, memory decline and concentration.
In the long term, a high-sugar diet is associated with the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Finally, excess sugar also exacerbates kidney disease, harming teeth, mouth and skin.
Sugar promotes inflammation, destroys collagen, causes acne and premature aging, and at the same time nourishes bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
According to experts, the problem is not with completely eliminating sugar, but with controlling consumption, prioritizing natural foods and limiting added sugar to protect long-term health.
(The article is for reference only, not for professional advice. Always consult a doctor or medical expert if you have questions).
