Hello, friends of MY Yangon! Have you started the trending practice of cutting down on sugar?

Sugar is a flavor that everyone loves. So, what benefits and advantages will your body gain by eliminating or reducing this wonderful taste through sugar avoidance or sugar reduction? This article will share the details.

For your daily health, avoiding or reducing sugar intake is an extremely important health practice in the modern era. As the saying goes, "Excess sweet is poison," consuming more sugar than needed can cause many negative effects on the body.

Here is the essential information you should know about cutting out sugar:

1. Negative Effects of Excessive Sugar Intake

It is true that the sugar we consume provides energy to the body. However, when it exceeds the necessary amount, it causes problems:

• Obesity: Sugar is high in calories and low in nutritional value. The body converts excess sugar into fat and stores it, leading to weight gain.

• Type 2 Diabetes: Consuming too much sugar affects the function of insulin in the blood, increasing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

• Heart Disease: It raises blood fat levels (Triglycerides) and increases blood pressure, harming heart health.

• Fatty Liver: The liver has to break down the Fructose found in sweet drinks. Excessive sugar intake can lead to fatty liver disease, similar to that seen in heavy drinkers.

• Premature Aging: High blood sugar levels damage Collagen, which keeps the skin firm, leading to the early appearance of wrinkles.

2. Health Benefits of Avoiding Sugar

The moment you cut out or reduce sugar, you will notice significant positive changes in your body:

• Weight Loss: Avoiding sugar is one of the most effective ways to lose weight.

• Sustained Energy: After eating sugar, you feel a temporary boost of energy but often crash quickly. By avoiding sugar, you will stay refreshed without energy depletion throughout the day.

• Clearer Skin: Acne breakouts will lessen, and your skin will become more radiant.

• Improved Brain Function: It enhances memory and increases resilience to stress.

3. Be Aware of "Hidden Sugars"

Some foods don't taste overtly sweet but contain a lot of sugar. You need to be mindful of these:

• Ready-to-Drink Beverages: Coffee mixes, tea mixes, sodas, and energy drinks.

• Fruit Juices: Canned fruit juices contain significant amounts of added sugar.

• Sauces: Ketchup, chili sauce, and barbecue sauces often have high sugar content.

• Bread and Baked Goods: Products made with white flour.

4. Tips for Cutting/Reducing Sugar

Gradually reducing sugar, rather than cutting it out abruptly, is more sustainable in the long run.

1. Cut Sugary Drinks First: Substitute them with water or (unsweetened) Green Tea.

2. Choose Natural Sweetness: Replace refined sugar with the natural sweetness of fruits (e.g., apples, bananas).

3. Read Labels: When buying snacks, look for and avoid names like Sugar, Fructose, Corn Syrup, and Sucrose in the ingredient list.

4. Cook at Home: Store-bought foods often use excessive MSG and sugar for flavor, so cooking your meals at home is best.

Note: For the first 3 days of cutting out sugar, you may experience headaches, irritability, or intense sugar cravings. This is your body fighting sugar addiction, so don't give up! These symptoms will normalize within a few days.

In conclusion, avoiding sugar is one of the best investments you can make for a disease-free, healthy, and beautiful life. As mentioned, since sweetness is a universally loved flavor, it will be hard to cut it out completely. It's more likely to succeed by gradually reducing it until your craving for sugar naturally diminishes.

May all the friends of MY Yangon achieve better physical and mental health, longevity, and a life filled with progress and success!