Ahhh Sugar. Delightfully sweet… and oh so dangerous!
Most people don’t think of sugar as dangerous, yet this sweet treat can be the base cause of a whole host of physical ailments.

Choose Wisely

First, let me clarify sugar. I am referring to the refined sugars, such as high fructose corn syrup, refined cane sugar, and it’s sneaky sister “brown sugar” (which is really just white sugar with “caramel” coloring.) Before I lay down some sad sugar facts, I will say this – anyone looking to lose excess weight, improve health, increase mental clarity, and/or overcome addictions – stop eating the sugars listed above right now! This can take some vigilant work in awareness. Many commercial foods and condiments have sugar added – so you must become familiar with reading labels and choosing wisely. Even better is to make your own meals from 100% pure and natural whole foods ingredients.

Go for Fruit

All you lovers of the sweets may be wondering what you can eat to get that oh-so-wonderful sweet taste that so many of us adore. Choose fruit first! Fruit contains healthy sugars that do not promote disease or imbalance in a healthy person. Try sweetening foods with dates or date sugar, raw pure honey, or a little maple syrup. Stevia extract is an all natural ultra-sweet food item that helps treat diabetes and tooth decay and contains no actual “sugar” calories. Monk Fruit extract is another natural sweetener that behaves in the body similar to Stevia. Unfortunately, Agave Nectar is a highly refined product and should be put in the category of refined white sugar or HFCS.

Sugar and Cancer

• Sugar can contribute to the growth of cancer. Insulin is one of the key hormones in regulating this sort of growth. Having constantly elevated insulin levels (a consequence of sugar consumption) can contribute to cancer.

• Metabolic problems associated with sugar consumption are a known driver of Inflammation, another potential cause of cancer.

• Multiple studies show that people who eat a lot of sugar are at a much higher risk of getting cancer.

Sugar and Obesity

• Due to its effects on hormones and the brain, sugar has unique fat-promoting effects.

• High-fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) contributes to fat deposits in your liver, increasing the buildup of lipoproteins and leads to plaque buildup and narrowing of blood vessels.

• Several studies show that High-fructose Corn Syrup causes characteristics of obesity in rats: increased body weight, body fat and triglyceride levels.

• Most HFCS is made from Genetically Modified Corn. GMO’s have been proven to contribute to cancer and other potentially deadly diseases.

20 Reasons Not to Consume Refined Sugar and HFCS

• Feeds candida overgrowth

• Promotes wrinkling and aging skin

• Makes your blood acidic

• Can lead to osteoporosis

• Rots your teeth

• Raises your blood sugar level

• Contributes to obesity and weight gain

• Is addictive (almost as much as drugs)

• Provides ’empty calories’ with no nutritional value

• Contributes to diabetes

• Robs your body of minerals

• Contributes to heart problems

• Can contribute to the growth of cancer

• Contributes to ulcers

• Can cause gallstones

• Contributes to adrenal fatigue

• Can suppress your immune system

• Weakens eyesight

• Sugar can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).

• Can cause arthritis

Take the Challenge

Are you ready to try being sugar-free? Are you ready to take the challenge? Try starting with one week of no sugar. Observe how you feel throughout the week. Try some new recipes. Experiment with Stevia and Monk Fruit as replacements for sugar. Stock up on fruit. Make a smoothie instead of grabbing a soda. Have a banana instead of a brownie. Once you reach your one-week goal perhaps you will feel so good that you want to go for 30 days no-sugar. I have been sugar-free for nearly 20 years and I don’t feel like I am missing out nor do I crave sugar like I once did. This idea of cutting sugar from our diets has been the conceptual fuel for many fad diets such as the Keto, Paleo, and Atkins diets. You don’t have to sign-up for any special diet or program to test out being sugar-free. Just give it a try and see how you feel. You may start liking how you feel without sugar in your body so much that you make it a lifestyle.

Zahrah Sita is a Transformational Health & Life Coach, Empowerment Catalyst, Health Educator, Writer, and Retreat Specialist. Zahrah lives in the US and Costa Rica where she leads Healing Programs, Internships, and Retreats. She offers Online Coaching Sessions, Health Consultations, Personalized Healing Programs, and Guided Cleanses at www.zahrahsita.com