BY STEVE BORN
For as long as Hammer Nutrition has existed as a company, we have been relentless in our crusade to educate others about the dangers of sugar consumption. Some may discount or casually disregard sugar intake, but there can beno denying that it's an ever increasing health concern. Dr. Joseph Mercola states: Sugar is likely one of the most dangerous products you can ingest and may trigger an addiction that is difficult to break, and we couldn't agree more.
How bad has sugar consumption become? According to William Faloon in his article Not Fit for Human Consumption, In1700, the average person in England is estimated to have consumed about four pounds of refined sugar a year. Annual refined sugar ingestion has now shot up to over 100 pounds. Excess sugar ingestion is a factor behind surging rates of obesity, cancer, vascular disorders, dementia, and type II diabetes.
A recent study from the University of Surrey adds to the growing body of research showing that sugar consumption is indeed a serious health hazard. In this study, researchers tracked the liver health of two groups of men: one that had non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the other that had low levels of liver fat. Fora 12-week period, the men in one group consumed a low-sugar diet (140 sugar calories/day) while the other group consumed a high sugar diet (650 sugar calories/day). After this 12-week period, the groups switched sugar intake for another 12-week period.
The results showed that the men in both groups had significantly higher levels off at in both their blood and livers after consuming the high-sugar diet for 12 weeks. Researchers noted that the NAFLD group had changes in fat metabolism associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes. More startlingly, they found that when the men who started the study with low liver fat levels consumed the high-sugar diet, not only did their blood and liver fat increase; their fat metabolism was nearly identical to the men with NAFLD.
After reviewing the results, lead researcher Bruce Griffin, Ph.D., commented Our findings provide new evidence that consuming high amounts of sugar can alter your fat metabolism in ways that could increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.
This research shows, yet again the dangers associated with sugar consumption. This study is especially concerning because of the short time frame – a mere 12 weeks - needed to elicit such serious negative health consequences.
Endurance fuels that are comprised of sugar (glucose, sucrose, fructose) are not only inferior in terms of energy quality, they are not at all good for your health. They have no business in your body at any time and should be avoided. During exercise and immediately after, you do need carbohydrates. However, for fast-acting, longer-lasting energy during exercise, and superior post exercise glycogen replenishment, choose complex carbohydrates (maltodextrin) found in Hammer Nutrition fuels - not junk sugar!
And remember, other than during exercise and shortly after, you should refrain from consuming high glycemic index carbohydrates of all kinds. Your liver – your entire body, actually - will thank you.
