Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : October 31, 2017 4:23 PM IST
Salt and sugar form a major part of our daily diet. And with the current lifestyle, having processed foods that are loaded with sugar and salt have become the norm of the day. We all are aware that excess salt can increase the volume of body fluids and raise your blood pressure, putting the heart at risk of stroke or heart disease. However, the effect of sugar on the heart is not known. Dr Sanjay Kalra, Consultant Endocrinologist, Bharti Hospital Karnal & Vice President, South Asian Federation of Endocrine Societies sheds light on how sugar can lead to heart problems and ways you can lower the risk of heart problems due to excess sugar. Here are 10 reasons why sugar is your biggest enemy.
How sugar impairs your heart health
One cannot really debate on whether which of the two sugar and salt are worse for heart health. A number of studies have been conducted to show the effects of sugar and salt on the heart. Excess sugar can cause inflammation of the arterial walls, which in the long run can lead to inflammation of the blood vessels and put you at risk of heart disease. Sugar, either in the refined form or artificial sugar in the form of processed foods, can lead to weight gain. With increased weight, you are not only at risk of diabetes and blood pressure but also put your heart under pressure. In a study published in JAMA: Internal Medicine, those receiving 17% to 21% of their calorie count from added sugar were at a 38% higher risk of getting cardiovascular diseases. Also read about 4 horrible things sugar does to your brain.
How to deal with it?
The best to deal with it is to cut down on processed sugar and replace simple sugar with complex carbohydrates. Fruits and other such foods are rich in natural sugars and not harmful to the body.
Here are 15 simple ways to reduce sugar intake.
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