6 Unhealthy Effects of Sweets on Your Body

World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that only 10% of a day's calories must be from sugar.

This would translate to about six teaspoons of sugar per day. Let's take a look at what sugar does to your body:

#1 Extra weight

Indulging in extra sweets tends to contribute to fat storage and send mixed signals to hormones like leptin that tell the brain - it still needs more food! Research has proven that though sweets and other foods rich in sugar are laden with calories, they do not do much in getting rid of hunger. The body will still want more food, as the sugar only dulls the brain by reducing the activity in the anorexigenic oxytocin system.

#2 Insulin resistance and diabetes

Sweets increase the body's requirement for insulin - which converts sugar into energy. When sugar levels are high for long periods of duration, the body loses its sensitivity to the hormone, allowing glucose to build up in the blood. This is known as insulin resistance. Symptoms of insulin resistance include tiredness, hunger, and high blood pressure. Over time, it reduces the amount of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a chemical that is often low in pre-diabetics and diabetics.

#3 Cavities

Sugar is an enemy of teeth. Studies suggest a correlation between a high-sugar diet and tooth decay. Bacteria in the teeth lining attack sugar, creating acids that destroy the enamel.

#4 High blood pressure and heart disease

Like with salt, a high amount of sugar in the body can cause hypertension. Sugar-dense foods spike sugar blood pressure in a matter of hours. They also increase the risk of developing heart disease.

#5 Sugar addiction

Sugar dependency is a reality and there are studies that prove the same. Sugar has been shown to mimic the effects of opiates in the brain, causing binge-ing, longing, and withdrawal when levels begin to fall.

#6 Toxic effect on liver

In 2012, a study published in Nature concluded that excess sugar in the body can create toxic effects on the liver, just like alcohol. It further went on to state that high amounts of sugar could increase the risk of certain chronic conditions that are common consequences of alcohol addiction.