Harmful Effects of Sugar: Sugar-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction Research Paper

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In the modern world, added sugar intake is associated with many health problems that individuals face. Although our body needs sugar to aid the functionality of some organs such as the brain, excessive consumption of sugars to certain levels indeed affects human organs and, as such, affects physical health. There is a controversy concerning whether naturally occurring sugars found in vegetables, fruits, or milk could cause human health problems. The truth is, these sugars come from natural sources and are considered beneficial to our diet. On the contrary, sugar and sugar syrups, commonly known as added sugars, have detrimental effects and are considered unhealthy for human consumption. This research paper sheds light on several impacts of sugar, including tooth decay, risk of type 2 diabetes, increased body weight, and how sugar affects major human organs.

The physical risk of consuming excess sugar is the high odds of tooth decay and increasing body weight. Unhealthy consumption of sugar has been directly linked to obesity both in children and overweight adults. Researches have found that consuming diets high in added sugar found in most manufactured and processed foods such as beverages, candies, cakes, and other foods contribute to weight gains. Weight gain both in children and adults strains the body organs such as the heart, which with time leads to the development of heart disease. Sugar intake is directly proportional to the deposition of body fats on body tissues and organs (Bruen et al. 50). Fat deposition on tissues leads to high blood pressure, thus weakening the ventricle of the heart.

Another physical effect of sugar is rotten teeth and teeth cavities. The condition is common among children who like taking sweets and biscuits which contain added sugars. “You probably rolled your eyes at age 12, but your mother was right; candy can rot your teeth. Bacteria that cause cavities love to eat sugar lingering in your mouth after you eat something sweet (Nazario).” The human mouth has several bacteria, of which some are beneficial while others feed on the sugar residue to produce acids that react with teeth enamel and, as such, lead to cavities and holes.

Excess sugar intake also poses threats to major human organs that work cooperatively to enhance good health. The high sugar level in the blood affects the human brain, skin, liver, pancreas, heart, and to some extent, the human kidney (Dayoub et al. 232). “…Excess sugar attaches to proteins in your bloodstream and creates harmful molecules called “AGEs,” or advanced glycation end products… (Nazario).” Sugar also affects the skin structure by affecting collagen and elastin in the skin. Moreover, high consumption of added sugar introduces fructose into the bloodstream. The liver processes fructose and, in large quantities, causes non-alcoholic fatty acid and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which causes inflammation to liver tissues (Kahn 350). In addition, sugar also poses a significant effect on the heart, pancreas, and human kidney. Excess sugar in the bloodstream is converted to fats that are then deposited on the walls of blood veins leading to high blood pressure and, as a result, affecting the heart (Andres-Hernando et al. 118). Therefore, regulating sugar intake is a routine that improves the condition of the human body.

Another effect of sugar consumption is the risk of getting type 2 diabetes and uncertain sexual behavior. Sugar consumption is linked with conditions such as low erection among men. Sugar could indeed make men impotent (DeLauer). This is because sugar affects the blood circulation system, which is responsible for the flow of blood in penis tissues to initiate an erection. Type 2 diabetes is also a risk that develops as a result of taking excess added sugar. The condition occurs due to high blood sugar concentration. Sugar is capable of decentralizing the insulin hormone, responsible for converting sugar in the blood into starch. Since sugar also damages the pancreas, thus low insulin hormone secretion. As such, less conversion of excess sugar into starch and fats (CDC). Type 2 diabetes today has shot to higher numbers in the world, and adults are the majority in the statistics. The number could be linked to the excess usage of added sugar in our everyday lives.

Sugar is needed for practical body functionality, but excess sugar consumption is harmful to the human body and health. Excess sugar consumption is detrimental to human health and conditions. This paper has pointed out the several toxic effects of sugar in the human body. Among the effects of sugar include the risks of obesity and type 2 diabetes and teeth complications. Moreover, sugar intakes affect human organs such as the heart, skin, liver, and pancreas, affecting the standard functionality of the human body. Regulating sugar intake should be taken seriously by parents and individuals to avert the dangers that are caused by the consumption of excess added sugar in our diet.

Works Cited

Andres-Hernando, Ana, et al. “Deletion of Fructokinase in the Liver or in the Intestine Reveals Differential Effects on Sugar-Induced Metabolic Dysfunction.” Cell Metabolism, vol 32, no. 1, 2020, pp. 117-127.

Bruen, Danielle, et al. “Glucose sensing for diabetes monitoring: recent developments.” Sensors, vol 17, no. 8, 2017, pp.18-66.

CDC. Google.Com, 2021, Web.

Dayoub, Jose Carlos, et al. “The Effects of Donor Age on Organ Transplants: A Review and Implications for Aging Research.” Experimental gerontology, vol 110, 2018, pp. 230-240.

DeLauer, Thomas. Youtube.Com, 2021, Web.

Kahn, MD. The Whole Heart Solution. 4th ed., Reader’s Digest, 2014, pp. 340-367.

Nazario, Brunilda. . Webmd, 2021, Web.

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