Conclusion - The Truth about Hidden Sugars: A Risk for Health - Dentalcare (2024)

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Conclusion - The Truth about Hidden Sugars: A Risk for Health - Dentalcare? ›

In conclusion, hidden sugars in foods may pose a major health risk for some individuals. Studies continue to demonstrate that the hidden sugars in our foods are responsible for the increase in obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and poor oral health related to tooth decay.

The acid erodes the enamel, leading to cavities. The longer the sugar stays in contact with our teeth, the more damage it causes. To protect yourself from decay, brush and floss regularly to remove any leftover sugar.

Eating or drinking too much free sugar can contribute to increased body weight and may lead to high cholesterol and triglycerides, and type 2 diabetes.

Eating too much added sugar can have many negative health effects. An excess of sweetened foods and beverages can lead to weight gain, blood sugar problems, and an increased risk of heart disease, among other dangerous conditions.

Too much sugar in your diet can make your diet high in kilojoules or 'energy dense' and can contribute to health problems like obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Refined (or processed) sugar provides a quick, simple source of energy, but it doesn't contain other nutrients such as vitamins and minerals.

Health risks associated with eating too much sugar

It may taste good, but added sugar in foods can act like a poison, increasing your risk for lots of diseases and conditions. Having a high intake of sugar per day can cause obesity, heart disease, high blood sugar, and diabetes.

Try to eat more nuts, plain yoghurt (add your own toppings), fruit, vegetables (including raw vegetables as a snack), cheese and eggs. Another easy way to cut back on added sugar in your diet is to avoid sugary drinks. Sugary drinks of any kind don't belong in a healthy diet so it's the perfect place to start.

Removing all sugar from your diet means you might miss important nutrients found in fruits, whole grains and dairy. Diets that cut out all carbohydrates and sugars, such as the ketogenic diet, can be harmful to your health. Without sugar, our bodies must find alternative sources of energy.

“Several studies have found a direct link between excess sugar consumption and obesity and cardiovascular problems worldwide,” Bremer says. Because of these harmful effects, many health organizations recommend that Americans cut back on added sugars.

Why is sugar bad for your teeth? ›

When sugar is consumed it interacts with the bacteria within the plaque to produce acid [1]. This acid is responsible for tooth decay because it slowly dissolves the enamel creating holes or cavities in the teeth.

Your Liver

An abundance of added sugar likely contains fructose or high fructose corn syrup. Fructose is process in the liver and in large amounts can damage the liver. When fructose is broken down in the liver it is transformed into fat.

Research has shown that switching saturated fat for unsaturated fat – like olive or rapeseed oil, nuts and seeds, or oily fish – can help to improve cholesterol levels. What isn't helpful for your heart health is replacing saturated fat with sugars or other refined carbohydrates (such as white bread, pasta or rice).

The AHA suggests a stricter added-sugar limit of no more than 100 calories per day (about 6 teaspoons or 24 grams) for most adult women and no more than 150 calories per day (about 9 teaspoons or 36 grams of sugar) for most men.

Intrinsic sugars are not considered a cause of dental caries when eaten in their natural form, but juices and dried fruits have higher concentrations of sugars (and often 'added' sugars- see 'below') making them more of a risk.

What are hidden sugars? Watch out for hidden sugars – these are best kept as part of a meal. Hidden sugars are ingredients in food and drink and although they are not seen as 'sugar' can still cause tooth decay.

Foods containing high amounts of white processed sugar are particularly damaging because these foods leave a sticky residue on your teeth that is too strong for your saliva to wash away. The only way to remove this residue is by brushing, flossing, mouth wash, and dental cleanings.

After eating foods that contain sugar, these molecules combine with saliva and bacteria present in the mouth. This combination leads to plaque on teeth. Left on teeth, plaque can dissolve enamel, which leads to cavities. To control bacteria and plaque on teeth, brush as soon as possible after eating.