Out of the presented information, the negative impact of sugar on health and aging appears to be the most alarming. Obesity continues to be one of the most significant health concerns in the U.S. Equating calories into calories out has been a popular weight-loss trend; however, many overweight individuals report low effectiveness (Lunau). The answer to this dilemma might lie in the type of calories that we consume, especially the amount of sugar. Statistics show that an average male teen would consume 138lb of sugar per year (Lunau). High sugar levels cause cardiovascular disease and insulin resistance, leading to Type 2 diabetes (Lunau). Additionally, sugar hinders normal cell function, causing a decline in energy, muscle aches, and early cognitive decline (Tweed). In other words, sugar directly triggers premature aging and will likely cause life-long health issues if consumed in excess.
However, limiting sugar intake is more challenging than might initially appear, and simply refusing chocolate will not do the trick. Sugar is present in 6,000,000 food products sold in the U.S., often finding its way into items such as ketchup, salad dressings, and pasta sauces (Lunau). Sugar is another reason why “low-fat” products are unlikely to help with weight loss. Low-fat products often contain a high quantity of sugar additives to improve the taste (Lunau). Additionally, many favorite children’s snacks and even baby formulas contain sugar, conditioning the population to crave sugar from early childhood (Lunau). As a result, reducing sugar consumption will involve completely restructuring their diets for many Americans.
The link between added food hormones and cancer poses another health concern, but their effect appears less detrimental. The presence of added hormones in beef and dairy products is often minimal compared to the levels already present in the body (Storrs). Some argue that injecting estrogen into cows might cause early puberty. However, other factors, such as excessive protein and sugar in the American diet, are more likely to trigger early puberty, as fat promotes estrogen production (Storrs). According to physicians, limiting red meat intake is necessary to reduce the risk of cancers, regardless of the presence of added hormones (Storrs). Since most people find eating less red meat easier than less sugar, excessive sugar consumption poses a significantly more severe health risk to American society.
Works Cited
Lunau, Kate. “Sugar Overload.” Maclean’s, 2014, Web.
Storrs, Carina. “Hormones in Food: Should You Worry?” Huffington Post, 2011, Web.
Tweed, Vera. “Longevity Boosters.” Better Nutrition, 2016, Web.