We all love sugar and why would we not? It’s one of the best things in the world. But unfortunately, it can also be very harmful. At least when taken in excess. And we kind of do that. We consume way more sugar than the recommended amount. And its dangerous effects begin as soon as it enters the mouth. It starts with our teeth and goes on to make more problems as it passes through the body.
That is what we’ll take a look at: sugar and gut health.
So what are the effects of sugar on digestion?
We’ll write about some of the most major effects.
High blood sugar can lead to Gastroparesis. That means, it can paralyze your stomach and make the muscles there weaker. This means your food is not being digested as quickly and sitting in the stomach for longer. Your food is taking longer to go from your mouth to your anus.
High sugar intake can weaken the intestinal barrier which can lead to a weaker immune system. This messes up your gut microbiota or the environment in there and makes you more prone to infections. If you do not know the importance of a healthy working environment, look around at your workplace or the environment of the planet in general. The way the climate is behaving after we have done what we did says a lot about how a disrupted environment in your gut will behave. So treat it nicely.
Too much sugar also makes you sluggish and a prime target for mosquitoes. Okay, the mosquito part was a joke but the sluggish part is real. It makes your energy levels lower. A lot of sugar can even bring about a laxative effect in some people.
Read this to see other harms of sugar.
Conclusion
All in all, it is a good idea to cut out ultra-processed sugar, eat more fruits, do some physical activity, practice some hobbies to relieve stress & introduce play into your life, and take some walks. And because sugar is so difficult to get rid of, you can slowly but surely substitute it with this. Try it and tell us what you think.
FAQs
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How does sugar impact digestive health?
Sugar affects the digestive system in many ways, some of which are gastroparesis and the weakening of the intestinal lining. - What are the effects of hidden sugars on the digestive system?
First, check this to see hidden sugars in everyday foods. Now, obviously the effects of these hidden sugars are not good. Like we said, they can do a lot of damage, things like gastroparesis and the thinning of the intestinal barrier. - What are the signs of sugar affecting my digestive health?
This is a more individual one and we would advice you to get checked by a professional doctor. But if you want to see the difference, you could try figuring out how much sugar you consume in a day, then reducing it for a week or two and seeing the difference it makes. -
What are some common sources of hidden sugars that affect digestion?
We have made a list of hidden sugars you’ll find in the most common food items we take daily. It’s a little alarming to be honest. -
Can cutting down on sugar improve symptoms of indigestion or acid reflux?
It might alleviate it a little. It will for sure help in your overall health though. Take the recommended amount of sugar (around 25 grams per day) and have some physical activity.