Sugar is considered to be one of the most harmful food items in your daily diet. It affects your body in a number of ways and also leads to diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Therefore, you need to cut down on your sugar intake as much as possible. You’ve probably seen those shows on your Spectrum TV app where excess sugar consumption causes numerous drastic issues which could be debilitating. So, you should prevent them from happening as early as you can.
However, sugar is not the only culprit for numerous health issues. There are actually worse things you may be consuming without realizing their harm. These foods can cause many health issues, from obesity to even cancer. Therefore, you need to watch what you eat and avoid harmful foods as much as possible. Here are some of the foods which are more harmful than sugar, so you should only consume them once in a blue moon.
Energy Drinks
While energy drinks are marketed as the go-to drink for adventurers and athletes, these same professionals avoid them as much as possible. This is because they contain a variety of substances that cause obesity, cardiac issues, kidney stones, and even cancer.
Hydrogenated Oils
Hydrogenated oils are extremely common but can cause a wide range of problems. From lowered immunity to diabetes, they have a lot of side effects, apart from being high in calories and trans fats. They even release toxic substances when broken down in your body, so they’re not good for you in any way.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup
This is one of the most harmful substances you can consume but is also one of the most prevalent. If you’ve had any sort of packaged or tinned food, you’ve probably had unhealthy amounts of high-fructose corn syrup. This substance is largely responsible for the obesity pandemic in the USA, and for various cardiac issues. It even causes organ damage, so you should read labels and avoid any foods with corn syrup in them.
Nitrites
Over the past few decades, cancers of the colon and digestive system have increased considerably. Nitrites are considered to be responsible for many of these cases. This is because they are known to have carcinogenic qualities and are used as preservatives in ham, salamis, and other processed meats.
Microwave Popcorn
While microwave popcorn may be an easy snack, it is also one of the most dangerous food items out there. Apart from the unnecessarily high salt content, it is also known to contain carcinogens. These carcinogens are released when heat reacts with the chemical lining of these popcorn bags. It is much healthier to make popcorn from organic kernels on your stovetop with some salt and butter.
Alcohol
It goes without saying that alcohol is one of the most harmful substances you can consume. Apart from the intoxication aspect, it also impairs your liver and kidneys. Excess alcohol consumption leads to obesity, organ damage, and a host of other quite serious issues. It can also lead to substance abuse problems, so make sure you only consume it rarely and moderately. If you have a family history of alcohol abuse, it’s best to stay sober altogether.
Artificial Sweeteners
While artificial sweeteners may seem like excellent alternatives to sugar, they bring a whole other group of problems. Essentially, most of these are artificial substances that were accidentally discovered and were then marketed as healthy sugar substitutes. However, over time, many of them contain much more calories than regular sugar and may even be carcinogenic at times.
Food Dyes
Food dyes are used to make food look more appealing and appetizing. However, many of them have a major impact on your health. Red 40, in particular, has been known to contain carcinogens and is one of the most common dyes used. That, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 must be avoided to prevent various health issues. Many of these dyes also include allergens, so you should always read labels and avoid buying anything which contains these colors.
In conclusion, while sugar is pretty harmful itself, there are many other foods that are even more dangerous for you and your family. Therefore, you need to be aware of what you’re consuming and always opt for organic, healthy options.