We all know that too much salt in our diets isn’t very good for us, as well as too much sugar is. We know it, but did you realize just how bad it is for our bodies overall?
A team of experts has gathered enough evidence to prove the link between high sodium and sugar consumption, obesity and accelerated aging.
Did you know?
Sugar is so sneaky, and it can be hard to uncover all the sugars in your diet. Simple carbohydrates are sugars that spike blood glucose levels in the bloodstream. Although the daily recommended amount of sugar is no more than 10 teaspoons, many Americans are consuming three times this amount. In a day!
U.S. guidelines suggest limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories (200 calories if you eat 2,000 a day), while the American Heart Association recommends even lower limits: 6 teaspoons for women and 9 for men.
High Salt Intake Leads to Faster Cell Aging
American researchers found out that teenagers who have excess sodium levels from eating salty foods are beginning to show several signs of faster cell aging.
What has become the staples in the American diet — bacon, cold cuts, frozen dinners, pizza and most restaurant meals — are loaded with sodium. Unfortunately, the rest of the world has started picking up our bad eating habits, with obese people are being found in more countries that ever before!
In addition, these are bad eating habits that can also puts them at greater risk of having heart disease. In another study, researchers from Georgia Regents University claim that reducing salt intake can significantly help slow down the aging process of human cells.
Increased Salt Intake Leads to Increased Sugar Intake
A Finnish study revealed that increased consumption of salty foods increases a person’s risk of being obese or overweight. This is because individuals who have excessive salt consumption also have a higher tendency to consume more sugary beverages. Scientists from the University of Kuopio and University of Helsinki stated that increased salt intake increases the desire to consume sugar-laden fizzy drinks to relieve their thirst.
Unfortunately, this diet is devoid of nutrients but high in calories. In combination, high salt and sugar consumption are a large contributor to weight gain, thereby increasing an individual’s risk of serious lifestyle-related illnesses such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Minimizing Salt Intake Can Also Lead to Reduced Mortality Rate
When experts studied the medical data of Finland residents, they were able to ascertain that reducing salt intake by 30 percent was enough to lessen the mortality rate by up to 80 percent in people who suffered from coronary heart disease and stroke. By reducing the consumption of salt, the lifespan of Finnish individuals was found to increase by an average of 6 to 7 years.
Cutting Sugar from Your Diet Is the Place to Start
Here is a wonderful idea, and I feel might be helpful in removing sugar from your diet. A easy way would to try a sugar detox diet.
Did You Know?
Common sources of added sugars include sugary drinks (like soda, iced tea, and sports drinks), cookies, pastries, candy, ice cream, and other sweet treats. However, they can also be found in unexpected items like condiments, packaged bread, and other foods that aren’t obviously sweet.
We typically start people on a nutrition plan that removes excess sugar from their diet,” says Dr. Nunez. “But instead of singling out salt or sugar, it’s important to consider the quality of your overall diet. A balanced diet full of foods that come from the earth rather than from a package will help you keep both your sugar and salt intake in check.
While doing research for this article, I had no idea just how much sugar and salt our in the basic diet. I do not add salt when I cook, and I don’t add salt to anything I eat. In fact, when we go and eat fast food, like Wendy’s, I ask for salt free French fries! There is enough salt just from the pans they would them in once they come out of the fryer. I don’t need added anymore. In fact, we went out to dinner once at The Outback, and I could taste the added salt in my meal. All because I do not add salt to my diet.
Today’s diet has made it really hard to not have so much sugar and salt in it. Reading labels is a must! If it’s simple and easy to just grab and eat, most people go for it. Unfortunately, most food that is cheap, is also filled with extra sugars and salt. By eating more naturally, and staying away from over-processed foods is a great start.
I have found that Sugar Free sodas are better now that they were when they first got introduced to the world overall. I just wish Mountain Dew would go back to offer all sugar-free flavors like they had. But that is just me..
