Which sugar is good for health

Examples of these drinks include:. Too much sugar can cause serious health problems. It can raise blood glucose levels, potentially causing:. High blood glucose levels can also cause brain problems and increase the risk of dementia , even in people without diabetes.

Sugar is a carbohydrate that occurs naturally in many foods, such as fruits and vegetables. The body breaks down carbohydrates to make glucose, which it requires for energy and healthy functioning. Added sugars are sugars in foods that are not naturally occurring.

The body requires no added sugars to function properly. Many people consume too much sugar from drinks and foods that contain added sugar. Too much sugar can cause a range of serious health problems, including diabetes, dementia, and obesity. The amount of sugar a person should consume varies, depending on their sex and age. In this article, we look at the recommended intake, as well as how….

Excess sugar consumption can cause many conditions, including diabetes and obesity. Added sugar is particularly harmful for the body. Learn more about…. In some people, sugar may cause tiredness or acne. Long-term, eating too much sugar can contribute to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Fruit contains natural sugar. Although natural sugar is good for health, it is important to remember that consuming fruit juices and canned fruit can…. However, it should be a gradual process.

Learn more about no-sugar diets…. Does the body need sugar? How much to consume. The glycemic index GI concept is used to compare the ability of different carbohydrate-containing foods in raising blood sugar levels over two hours. Higher GI indicates greater ability of a food in raising blood sugar levels, and having high levels of sugar in the blood can lead to disease.

High GI foods tend to be less filling , too. The GI values in the table below are compiled from the GI database. Corn syrup has the highest GI as it is composed mainly of glucose. Based on available values in the GI database, agave syrup has the lowest GI value.

Honey has been reported to possess several germ-killing capabilities due to the presence of several naturally-occurring compounds. In the end, sugar in our body is still sugar. Read the original article here. Raw sugar is formed if the final refining process is bypassed.

It also contains more water than table sugar. Glycaemic Index of sugars. GI database. Related Tags Health Food. Mind and Body. Here are a few of them. Remember: Ingredients on a packaged food are listed in descending order in terms of weight, so when you see these names at the top of the ingredients list, the product contains a lot of sugar. Some celebrities and others credit weight-loss successes to eliminating all sugars even the natural ones. But most people can stay in the healthy range when it comes to natural sugars if they focus on choosing whole foods over processed ones — try a few slices of fresh fruit on a peanut butter sandwich instead of a jelly or jam, which likely has extra added sugar — and focus on eating a well-balanced diet.

The USDA recommends 2 cups of fruit and at least 2. And adults should get two to three servings of dairy per day — 1 cup of nonfat or low-fat milk, 1 cup of nonfat or low-fat yogurt, or 1. At the same time, keep in mind that dairy can be an important source of calcium — a mineral responsible for keeping your skeleton strong — in the American diet, as the National Institutes of Health NIH notes.

You can also get your fix via fortified foods such as orange juice and cereal, according to the NIH. Eventually, the less sugar you have in your diet, the sweeter foods will taste naturally, says Voltolina. Your taste buds will adjust when you reduce or eliminate added sugars, and you might find that certain sugary foods and beverages will taste too sweet. This will make it easier to cut back on foods with sugar. Of course, no two bodies are the same. Consider your overall lifestyle and physical activity level when considering dietary choices, Voltolina adds.

For more active individuals, more servings of fruit can be a healthful way to add needed calories. Working with a registered dietitian nutritionist can help you adjust your diet, including your sugar intake, as needed.

Also, keep in mind any underlying medical conditions.