Added sugar is probably the number #1 roadblock in anyone’s weight loss journey and that’s because it acts in multiple ways to facilitate weight gain. It can cause blood sugar to fluctuate and insulin levels to spike, it promotes fat storage and inflammation, and increases your risk of developing serious diseases. WHO dietary guidelines suggest that a person should consume a maximum 5-10 teaspoons per day of sugar to prevent weight increase. But most of us consume much more, and this is mostly due to the added sugar in ultra-processed products. If we consume more than our body needs to function, excess sugar will be stored as fat. Most importantly, be cautious of hidden sugar that is conveniently added in normal, everyday food and even “healthy” foods to appeal to the tastebuds of consumers. Reduce your intake of added sugars, and especially high-fructose Corn Syrup, if you want to lose some weight. HFCS consumption has been linked with obesity and other diseases. It is a highly-processed sweetener that provides empty calories, without essential nutrients. This leads to weight gain, and increases the risk of obesity related health problems.
