4 Benefits of Cutting Back on Sugar
by Cascade Ice on April 26, 2021
In recent years, many people have started to realize the important health benefits that come with cutting back on sugar in their diets. What’s not commonly known is that sugar is hidden in so many of the foods and beverages that we enjoy every day, and you may not even realize how much you’re consuming. Going over your daily allowance of sugar can have a domino effect in our bodies, leading to many health complications and diseases. Adopting a low-sugar diet can help prevent diabetes, heart disease, improve brain health and mood, decrease inflammation, and help you lose weight.
While small amounts of sugar in your diet won’t necessarily hurt, consuming higher-than-usual amounts can cause your body to store it for later use, leading to fatty liver disease and other conditions. So how can you lower your sugar intake? Pay attention to how much sugar the foods you eat contain – the average person should try to stay under 24 grams of sugar per day. Even making small, healthy swaps, like trading sugary cereal to plain oatmeal with fruit, or switching from soda to a sugar-free sparkling water like Cascade Ice Sparkling Water, can help you stay on track.
Most importantly, what are the key benefits to maintaining a low sugar diet? We’ve got 4 reasons for you to make the leap to a low sugar lifestyle right here!
Building a Healthy Heart
A diet that is low in sugar can help your heart by lowering your blood pressure and raising good cholesterol while inhibiting bad cholesterol. What this means long-term is that lowering your sugar intake can prevent strokes and heart attacks. So, making a low-sugar diet a priority can have big payoffs later in life.
Boosted Energy Levels
Sometimes known as “simple carbs”, sugars can enter your bloodstream very quickly, giving you a boost of energy. However, it’s also metabolized quickly by the body, which means you also “crash” quickly after. And because sugar is often hidden in so many foods we know and love, you likely often feel this rollercoaster of energy all day long. When you cut back on sugar and replace it with foods high in fats and proteins, you’ll have a steady boost of energy that will last longer than sugar could ever provide. So, when you ditch the added sugars, prepare for a healthy dose of energy!
Improvements in mental health
Preliminary studies are showing a link between excess sugar consumption in the American diet and an increase in mental illness and cognitive decline. When you adopt a low-sugar diet, you can expect higher energy levels. And without the highs and lows of the “sugar rush” and inevitable crash throughout your day, feelings of depression and other mental illnesses are not as common as a result.
Healthy, Glowing Skin
Excess sugar has been known to block the repair of your skin’s collagen, the protein present in your skin that makes it appear glowy, plump and youthful. Studies have also shown that too much sugar can reduce elasticity of the skin and cause premature wrinkles. So, stay under your daily allowance of sugar and watch your face transform into healthy, energized skin that makes you feel super confident! (And don’t forget to drink lots of water to help with that too!)
Have you ever tried a low-sugar diet? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
