Here at Sweetly Stevia, our main goal is to promote a healthier lifestyle. We wouldn't be doing our job if we didn't give you 4 startling reasons why you should be breaking your relationship with sugar. There are over 61 different names for normal table sugar, making it hard to identify hidden sugars in your food. The saying goes "What you don't know won't kill you" but in this case, it might. This is why it is so important to be knowledgeable about sugar's secret identities and where sugar could be hidden in your average daily diet. Read on to learn about the top 5 reasons you should replace sugar.
 

1. Excessive sugar intake could be the cause of many serious illnesses.

Excessive amounts of sugar in your daily diet can cause life-threatening health conditions and illnesses. You can stop this high-risk by altering how much sugar you consume a day. The following health concerns can be triggered by or made worse by heavy sugar intake:

  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Oral Health Concerns
  • Heart Disease


2. Your energy and mood can be positively affected by eliminating processed sugar from your diet.

Excessive sugars consumed on a day-to-day basis cause drastic spikes and drops in your energy and mood throughout the day. Below is a list of foods provided by Spoon University that drain your energy level:

  • Pasta
  • Orange Juice
  • Yogurt
  • Alcohol
  • Cereal & Bagels
  • Soda
  • Turkey
  • Coffee
  • Fried Foods (Fast Foods)
  • White Bread
Instead of filling up on these energy-sucking foods, try providing your body with energy-sustaining food that will help you maintain energy levels throughout the day rather than a quick energy boost. Enjoy nutrient-dense foods in the morning, afternoon, and evening for all-day pick-me-ups!
 

3. Sugar intake impacts your sleep schedule poorly.

 
The more sugar you eat throughout the day, the more likely you are to wake up during the night. According to Sleep.org, the influence on sugary treats before bedtime will likely be the culprit of a poor night's sleep, leaving you feeling tired and unmotivated in the next morning.

Have you ever wondered why you want to take a mid-day snooze after indulging in something sweet? Sleep.org says that eating a lot of sugar reduces the activity of orexin cells which leads to energy crashes. Cut back on refined sugars in your daily diet and you'll be surprised to find that your sleep schedule has significantly improved.
 

4. Sugar has a negative impact on your mood and anxiety levels.

 
Over the years, several studies have proven that excessive sugar intake can lead to increased anxiety and the occurrence of depression. 

London 2009 - Found that a diet rich in natural sugars including those found in fruits, vegetables, and fish can lower your risk for depression. Meanwhile, diets high in processed foods, sweetened desserts, fried foods, and processed meats lead to a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with depression

France 2007 - Found that sugar is more addictive than cocaine. In this study on rats, researchers found that intense sweetness can simulate the brain's reward center and could be more pleasurable than cocaine, even in people who have a current drug condition.

Spain 2011 - Found that eating commercial baked goods may taste good, but they are linked to triggering depression. Researches found that individuals who ate the most baked goods were 38% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than the individuals who ate the least number of baked goods. The intake of excessive sugars and trans fats (often found in commercial baked goods), could also lead to inflammation and increase your risk for heart disease and heart attacks.

How to Break Up with Sugar...for good.


1. Cut back on obvious sources.

  • soda
  • energy drinks
  • sweet treats
  • candy
  • sweet tea

Instead, opt for water, naturally flavored water, unsweetened tea, homemade treats with a natural sugar substitute, and just no candy...

2. Choose quality carbs.

Swap simple grains for more complex options like whole grains. White rice, white bread, and white pasta lead to a higher spike in blood sugar than their whole-grain counterparts.

3. Read food labels!

We can't stress this enough. Sugar has over 61 unique names when it comes to listing ingredients on a food label. Check out this list here for the top 56 most common names for sugar.
 

4. Substitute a natural sweetener for sugar in your daily diet.

 
Most importantly, you probably don't want to give up your favorite sweet treats and desserts. Try finding recipes that include natural sweeteners such as Sweetly Stevia. You can even use the handy conversion calculator on our website to substitute Sweetly Stevia into your current household recipes.

By switching to Sweetly Stevia, you no longer have to run from your favorite foods. After all, stevia is the best sugar substitute for people with diabetes!