FEBRUARY 8, 2024 SUGAR

WHO DOESN’T LOVE SUGAR . We all do As a child OI ate sugar— I am from an Italian family - I ate pasta, bread and cakes. It was a staple for my Italian-American household. But in reality sugar is bad for us.

We have two epidemics - Obesity and Diabetes. Both lead to Cardiovascular Diusease Sugar is a key player in the global obesity epidemic. Its high caloric content, combined with its prevalence in diets, contributes significantly to weight gain. Consuming sugar in excess leads to a caloric surplus, which the body stores as fat. This process is exacerbated by sugar’s ability to stimulate appetite, often leading to overeating. The link between high sugar intake and increased body weight is clear

Dental health is very important. Digestion begins in the mouth There is an association between oral health and heart disease. The connection between sugar and dental health is well-established. When sugar is consumed, it interacts with bacteria in the mouth, leading to the production of acids. These acids erode tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth, causing decay and cavities I notice that individuals born in the 1950’s and 1960’s have more cavities than children born in the 1980’s and now. Possibly parents are now understanding the association between sugar and cavities

As a cardiologist I worry about sugar for good reasons. Sugar can cause diabetes and obesity. As I stated These cause Heart Disease. But how ? High sugar consumption can lead to increased levels of triglycerides, a type of fat found in the blood, which is a known risk factor for heart disease. Additionally, sugar can cause inflammation and high blood pressure, both of which are harmful to heart health. The impact of sugar on cholesterol levels is also significant, as it can increase harmful LDL cholesterol while decreasing beneficial HDL

Be careful with sugar

Until tomorrow…