The packaged juice you had for breakfast, the doughnut you had for snacks, or even the dessert you sneaked in after dinner may have satiated your sweet cravings. Unfortunately, these can be detrimental to your body inside and out in the long term if you eat too much of them regularly. One side effect of too much sugar is skin aging too quickly. Here are a few common signs of aging skin due to excessive sugar. Skin begins to sag The skin’s natural plumpness and firmness are because of elastin and collagen. These get damaged due to excessive sugar. This happens because of a process known as glycation that causes the sugar molecules to react with the proteins in collagen and elastin. The glycated collagen accumulates in the tissues, causing the skin to lose its firmness and sag. Wrinkles and fine lines begin to appear Due to excessive sugar, the glycation process on collagen and elastin also causes them to become brittle and dry. As a result, they lose their natural strength and elasticity. They start to become stiff. So the skin loses its suppleness and smoothness. This is why fine lines and wrinkles become more prominent on the skin.

Cancer is a condition where healthy cells mutate and grow uncontrollably, causing damage to neighboring cells as it spreads. Cancer can affect any body part and often goes undetected until the advanced stages. Also, many external factors trigger the risk of developing certain types of cancers among adults. And many common household items, grooming products, and smart devices installed around the home increase the risk of exposure to carcinogens that cause cancer. Cookware Daily use utensils and cookware are coated with compounds that increase the risk of certain types of cancer. For example, nonstick pans, pots, and hotplates are commonly coated with Teflon. At high heat, the Teflon burns, and these pans emit fumes that cause respiratory problems. Repeated exposure increases the risk of cancer. It’s safer to switch to simple cast iron, stainless steel, and even ceramic utensils while cooking regularly on high heat. Even plastic containers used for storing cooked food are not safe. These plastics contain bisphenol and phthalates that can leak into the containers and linger inside the foods and beverages stored. Cleaning products Toilet cleaners, liquid sprays, surface cleaners, disinfectants, and most of the cleaning products used for different surfaces in the house are potentially harmful to health.

The pervasiveness of added sugars in one’s food supply has reached alarming levels, leading to a surge in chronic health conditions. Among the potential health risks, its impact on kidney health is significant. Knowing how excessive sugar intake affects one’s kidneys is pivotal for early intervention and management of this silent threat. Here are some of the common signs and proactive measures that can protect one’s kidneys from the harmful effects of sugar. The sugar and kidney connection Store-bought foods, including energy drinks, desserts, packaged snacks, and sauces, contain high levels of processed sweeteners. While one’s body requires sugar for energy, too much of it can lead to various health risks, including kidney problems. Sugar doesn’t directly affect one’s kidney, but high glucose in one’s blood can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the kidneys and put pressure on the organ to filter out and remove toxins. Over time, this strain on the kidneys can impair their function and ultimately lead to organ damage. Signs of kidney disease Frequent urination Excessive sugar intake can cause the kidneys to work harder to filter and excrete the sugar, resulting in increased urine production.

Despite the satisfaction sugar provides, the consensus is that it harms one’s health. The pitfalls of excessive sugar intake include poor liver, kidney, gastrointestinal, respiratory, eye, and mental health. It can build a bed of severe conditions such as cardiovascular issues, diabetes, and gastrointestinal distress. High sugar levels severely impact your gut health, giving rise to various unpleasant symptoms. To avoid complications, switching to a less sugar-dependant lifestyle is prudent. Acid reflux Heavy reliance on sugary foods can lead to symptoms like acid reflux. It is a concerning sign of gastrointestinal disorders caused by excessive sugar intake. High amounts of sugar in the body can result in restricted functioning of the pancreas, causing bacterial overgrowth. It can lead to excessive acid in the digestive tract and a suppressed absorption of nutrients. This acid is known as acid reflux when it finds its way back up into the esophagus. Bloating Bloating is a result of various factors. Some might experience it as a combination of menstruation symptoms, food sensitivities or intolerances, overeating, and swallowing air. Another common factor for bloating is the intake of excessive sugar. The intestine works hard to absorb water needed by the body. However, sugar can stop that and draw water away from the intestinal cells.

The liver performs many vital functions in the human body. For instance, it promotes digestion by secreting bile, regulates chemical levels, and stores iron, copper, and fat-soluble vitamins. However, like any other organ, its working can get affected due to specific illnesses. One’s food habits could also affect the liver severely. Here are a few common signs of liver disease due to excessive sugar intake that should not be overlooked. Fatigue and low energy Tiredness or constant fatigue could be an early sign of liver disease brought on by excessive sugar consumption. People who enjoy too many sugary treats can develop insulin resistance. It is a condition where the body’s cells stop responding to insulin, the hormone that helps regulate blood glucose. As a result of insulin resistance, blood sugar levels rise constantly, affecting the liver and leading to chronic lethargy and exhaustion. Digestive issues The liver supports gastrointestinal function. So, when the organ is affected due to excessive sugar, it can trigger digestive problems like gas, bloating, and even indigestion. Since the organ can no longer break down food effectively, it can even lead to constipation and bowel complications. Moreover, bile secretion problems can worsen the symptoms and increase the risk of other health concerns.

Diabetes occurs when sugar accumulates in the bloodstream and doesn’t produce sufficient insulin. It affects around 30 million people in the country and can lead to short- and long-term complications. It’s important to learn how to manage diabetes to prevent nerve damage in various body parts, such as the hands, feet, eyes, kidneys, and ears. This article will examine how high blood sugar levels can affect the ears and the signs of hearing loss resulting from it. Impact of high blood sugar levels on the ear Elevated blood sugar can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves that are responsible for hearing. This can reduce oxygen supply to the inner ear, ultimately leading to hearing loss. High blood glucose levels also impact the balance of potassium and sodium levels in the fluids in the inner ear, which can reduce cell functioning and cause tinnitus (ringing or buzzing noise in the ears that has no external source). When diabetes affects the vestibular system in the inner ear, it may also cause balance problems and increase the risk of dizziness or falls. Diabetes can also make the earwax less acidic, making one prone to more ear canal and outer ear infections.

Our food habits influence our overall health and well-being. While an excess of anything is harmful, sugar is among the worst ingredients to overeat. Consistently devouring sweets in large amounts can lead to high blood glucose, which can, in turn, lead to other health complications. For instance, it can affect the body’s cells and tissues, increasing the risk of cancer in vulnerable groups. Here are some early warning signs of cancer due to excessive sugar. Fatigue Cancer reduces the production of red blood cells (RBCs) in the body, causing anemia. Anemia is a condition in which vital organs like the brain and lungs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function efficiently. As the organs find it hard to work, patients experience perpetual fatigue. They feel tired even after doing basic tasks, such as walking a few steps or climbing a flight of stairs. When people enjoy too many sugary treats at once, their blood sugar spikes significantly. When that happens, they immediately experience a boost in energy levels and feel euphoric. However, this effect does not last long. As their blood glucose levels normalize, they feel tired and sleepy. This is how high blood sugar can worsen fatigue in people with cancer.

Regularly eating sugar-rich foods can cause many health complications, including joint and bone pain. This unhealthy effect of sugar occurs when you eat sugary foods, such as donuts, ice cream, and desserts, and due to the regular consumption of processed foods with hidden sugar. Joint pain typically occurs gradually and can progress if one continues to have sugar-rich foods. Thus, here are a few poor signs of joint pain due to excessive sugar. Excessive swelling When you eat a lot of sugary foods over a long period, your body’s metabolism is affected. The metabolic disorder increases the level of inflammatory mediators in your body and also increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the tissues. These cytokines are substances released by the immune system. The high level of inflammation due to these factors affects the joints, leading to swelling and pain. Stiffness of joints Since the high sugar intake causes inflammation in the body, the joints are also inflamed. As a result, the affected joints have reduced mobility. A lack of movement in these joints over time leads to stiffness, exacerbating joint pain. Reduced range of motion Another notable poor sign of joint pain due to excessive sugar is a reduced range of motion.