Could You Prevent Heart Disease and Diabetes By Eating Less Sugar?
Maybe. Did you know that sugar consumption in the U.S. has increased by 19% since 1970? It’s true, most Americans eat 30 teaspoons of sugar every day. It seems like a lot, but the fact is that almost everything that we eat and drink has sugar, that includes soda, fruit, and many processed foods. For Hispanics, the risk is even greater because eating too much sugar puts us at risk for diabetes.
In Mexico, two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese and type 2 diabetes and heart disease is the leading causes of death. Just like in the U.S., they have added on taxes on soda and other sugary drinks, but this is still a big problem in both countries.
A 2012 study published in the journal, Global Public Health found that populations that consume the largest amounts of high-fructose corn syrup (which is what is found in soda) have a 20% higher rate of type 2 diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends that you eat no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day.
Unfortunately, sugar is the main source of calories in people’s diets today and it’s associated with not only diabetes, but heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity. Many people who try losing weight, don’t achieve the results they want because they can’t let go off the sugary food.
