Eat Less Sugar ― And More Chocolate

February is American Heart Month, a reminder that heart disease is a leading cause of death in the U.S. Take steps this month to ensure that you’re living a heart-healthy lifestyle. One way to start is to eat less sugar by skipping the heart-shaped, sugary treats lining retail shelves.

Eat less sugar for heart health

High sugar consumption is linked to obesity and is a significant factor in heart health. Eating sugar increases triglycerides ― a type of fat ― in your arteries, and too much dietary sugar also increases blood insulin. Over time, excess sugars and fats in the bloodstream damage blood vessels and organs and cause problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and fatty liver disease ― each associated with increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Some sugars occur naturally in fruits and vegetables, but those foods are not the sugar culprit. Plant-based foods are high in antioxidants, minerals and fiber, which help the body digest slowly, providing a steady energy supply.

Added sugars do the opposite by dumping large amounts of nutrient-deficient calories into the body at once, causing blood sugar spikes followed by dips in energy. Steer clear of candy, cookies, cakes and other sweets to avoid this unhealthy pattern. You should also avoid soft drinks, fruit drinks, flavored yogurts and cereals ― most of which are loaded with sugar.

In fact, most processed foods contain added sugars, including soups, breads, cured meats and ketchup. Read labels carefully, and avoid sugar aliases like sucrose, dextrose, cane juice, agave, honey, and corn syrup. In other words, eat less sugar.

What about my box of chocolates?

Good news: Not every item on those red-and-pink holiday shelves is entirely unhealthy.

As it turns out, chocolate is actually good for our hearts. In 2011, research that pooled the results of seven published studies with over 100,000 participants showed that those who consumed the highest amounts of chocolate had a 37% lower risk of heart disease and a 29% lower risk of stroke than study participants who ate minimal amounts of chocolate (1).

Before you take that as a green light to gorge yourself, remember that many chocolates are filled with sugar and can cause weight gain. Moderation is key.

Research seems to show that the antioxidants in chocolate offer a beneficial influence, despite the harmful sugar that often accompanies them. The specific antioxidants in chocolate are called flavonoids, and they’re found in many foods including tea, blueberries, red wine, apples, cherries, pears and nuts.  To get more of the health benefits and less of the sugar, buy dark chocolate with at least 85% cacao content.

Flavonoids lower blood pressure, improve blood flow to the heart and brain, fight cell damage and prevent blood clots. In other words, eat less sugar.

Eat Less Sugar – Choose your Foods Wisely.

Sugar is a common ingredient in many foods and drinks, and it can be easy to consume more of it than is healthy. Consuming too much sugar has been linked to a range of negative health effects, including weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease.

Eat Less Sugar -ry Drinks.

One of the easiest ways to reduce sugar intake is to cut back on sugary drinks such as soda, sports drinks, and sweetened coffee and tea. These beverages can contain large amounts of added sugar, and they offer little in the way of nutrients. Water, unsweetened tea, and other low-sugar or sugar-free beverages are better options.

It’s also important to pay attention to the sugar content of the foods we eat. Many processed foods, such as cookies, cakes, and snack bars, contain added sugar. Choosing whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help reduce sugar intake. Reading food labels can also be helpful in identifying the amount of sugar in a product.

Eat less Sugar – The Challenge.

While it can be challenging to cut back on sugar, the benefits are worth it. Reducing sugar intake can help improve overall health and well-being, and it can also help with weight management. By making small changes, such as choosing water instead of soda and opting for whole foods instead of processed ones, it is possible to significantly reduce sugar intake.

As a PrimeHealth member, you have a dedicated, certified Health Coach, trained in Functional Nutrition, to help you adapt nutrition and lifestyle changes into your every day life.

Reference:

1. A. Buitrago-Lopez, J. Sanderson, L. Johnson, S. Warnakula, A. Wood, E. Di Angelantonio, O. H. Franco. Chocolate consumption and cardiometabolic disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 2011; 343