Cause and Effects of Sugar on the Human Body - Essay Sample

Introduction

Sugar is such an important substance in our body. It belongs to the glycans/carbohydrate group which provides energy to the body. Our body will not function normally if it lacks sugar in the system. Natural sugars from fruits, milk sugar, lactose are harmless,but they come at a huge cost. However, sugar added during processing of food and drinks is dangerous to our body.

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Fruit sugars do not harm our body since they have nutrients. They can provide an instant energy boost. They constitute fructose and fibers. Fibers neutralize and balance the effects of fructose. Hence this leads to long-lasting energy provision to the body. Sugar in dailyfoodlike starchy vegetables and grainsare very important to the body since they have beneficial fibers and nutrients.

Types of Sugars

Glucose - intake of glucose stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin. Increase insulin signals to the brain to stop eating as you have had enough. Other processes going through the body is the production of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) by the liver. VLDL causes diseases in our body. However, you should have to worry much since 1 out of 24 calories consumed is converted into VLDL.

High fructose corn syrups (HFCS) and Sucrose - this sugar contains a high percentage of fructose approximately 55% in HFCS and 50% in sucrose. The sugar is quite harmful since only the liver can metabolize these sugars. Also, the intake of these sugars cannotbe controlled by the brain.

Fructose - its mostly found in human breast milk, its also found in some mushrooms. This sugar encourages longterm memory and helps prevent the growth of tumors and respiratory infections.

Galactosamine - this sugar is mostly found in crustacean shells, red algae,and shark cartilage. The sugar helps in intercellular communication. Hence it helps in regulating the inflammation and immune systems.

Glucosamine - this sugar help maintain healthy joints.

Galactose - this sugar is mostly found in milk. Its also found in vegetables, fruits,and some herbs. This sugar helps the body to heal injuries fast (Wolfe,2011. p.5).

Mannose -very useful sugar in the bodyespeciallyas it acts as part of the immune system- lack of this sugar will cause inflammation and other diseases.

Xylose - mostly found in the embryo of edible plants. Very good in fighting digestive tract cancer.

Adverse Effects of Taking Too Much Sugar

Damage to the liver - taking too much sugar damages your liver. Its effect is the same as taking too much alcohol. Consumption of sugar results in Fructose being taken to the liver to be metabolized hence this strains theorgan.

Gaining weight - the sugars tricks the body into gaining weight by affecting leptin and insulin signaling. Gaining weight is a result of the body failure to regulate the hunger hormone.

Eating to much sugar also causes metabolism syndrome they include obesity, weight gain, increased LDL levels, and decreased HDL cholesterol. Too much sugar also triggers other ailments like high blood pressure.

According to Senseet al. Sugar accelerates aging by destroying the skin through wrinkles and skin sagging. When you consume sugar, it causes the sugar to mix with proteins which causes the skin to lose elasticity. Moreover, sugar causes gum disease. This will eventually lead to the development of heart disease. According to Geerts et al. (2004),the connection between gum disease and heat disease is caused by an inflammatory response to infection.

Works Cited

David Wolfe(2011). Essential Sugars: The Healing Power of Polysaccharides. Pp-5.

Geerts, S.O., Legrand, V., Charpentier, J., et al. (2004) "Further evidence of the association between periodontal conditions and coronary artery disease." Journal of Periodontology, 75(9), pages 1274-80.

Sensi, M., Pricci, F., Andreani, D., et al. (1991), "Advanced Nonenzymatic Glycation Endproducts (AGE): Their Relevance to Aging and the Pathogenesis of Late Diabetic Complications." Diabetes Research, 16(1), pages 1-9.