There are a lot of myths surrounding the effects sugar has on our health. Even though humans need glucose to survive, it's no secret that the exorbitant amount of sugar found in everyday foods like processed snack foods, canned food, and soft drinks have become too much for our bodies to handle. Here are 5 things to keep in mind when you consume too much sugar.

1.) Weight gain - Your body needs glucose to survive, but when you consume more than you need. When you consume more sugar than the body can use, the body converts it into fatty acid and stores it for future use in adipose fatty cells, such as the hips, thighs, arms, and stomach. Not exactly what we all want to happen ladies! 2.) Tooth decay - Sugar does not actually cause cavities, contrary to popular belief. However, the waste product (acid) caused by sugar interacting with the surface of your teeth will cause cavities. So if you're not watching what you eat, you could be looking at a mouth full of decay. This is especially true for our our children who are not as good at brushing and sneaking in sweet treats we don’t see!

3.) Skin problems - We now know that what we eat DOES have an effect on our skin health! Scientists have made the connection between consuming dairy and foods high in sugar with skin problems. I often ask clients to avoid sugar and dairy for just a week and it is nothing short of miraculous how fast their skin clears up when they avoid these foods.

4.) Increased sugar cravings - Wha?? Yep! When you eat a lot of sugar, your brain

releases dopamine— the "feel-good" chemical that's released when you're having sex or having positive human interactions. 😉 Sounds a lot like drugs, right? Recent studies have concluded that sugar may be addictive when a lot is consumed at one sitting.

5.) Depression and anxiety - Diets high in starchy and sugary foods are linked to inflammation at a much higher level than diets that are rich in lean proteins and vegetables. Research suggests that inflammation is a strong indicator of depression and high stress levels. Why? Because sugar increases inflammation in the body AND brain therefore a high sugar diet ultimately leads to increased stress, anxiety, and even depression. 👿

Before you grab another handful of candy think about how you really want your body to feel and if it’s worth it. XOXO, TT