Excessive consumption of salt and sugar is associated with an increased risk of various chronic diseases. However, some ask what is worse: excessive consumption of salt or sugar.
For many years, doctors have linked excessive salt and sugar intake to a variety of diseases. Today experts advise limiting their consumption for the sake of health. However, some are still wondering: what is worse, excessive consumption of salt or sugar?
For a long time, people considered salty foods and fats to be the cause of many diseases. However, as science and food developed, many of these ideas were debunked.
Today, doctors associate many complex diseases with excessive sugar intake. So what’s worse?
Salt
Salt has been linked to atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. The truth is that recent articles, such as an article in The American Journal of Medicine, call this relationship into question.
Salt is a necessary element for the life and transmission of nerve impulses. Unlike sugar, a person must consume a minimum amount of salt so that the body can properly perform its vital functions.
Moreover, the body is not ready to synthesize it endogenously. You should consume salt from your diet. As a result, its deficiency can lead to various complications, some of which are related to the thyroid gland and its pathologies.
The problems that used to be associated with salt intake are now linked to an unhealthy lifestyle. Obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and high-calorie foods are risk factors for atherosclerosis. In addition, these unhealthy habits can change blood pressure.
Although it is important to avoid excessive salt intake, it is also important to consume a minimum amount so that the body can properly perform certain vital functions.
Sugar
It is one of the most popular ingredients in the food industry. Due to the taste and texture, it is contained in most processed products. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) does not set the minimum required amount of sugar, it sets the maximum recommended amount.
Sugar is mostly composed of glucose, which is a necessary substance for life and energy metabolism. However, it is a nutrient that the body can synthesize on its own from proteins and fatty acids. Therefore, it is not vital.
But, the consumption of sugar by the average population is much higher than the recommended amount.
This increased intake is associated with an increased likelihood of being overweight and obese. In addition, it is also an obvious risk factor for many complex diseases, such as diabetes and some cancers, according to a study published in the journal PLOS One.
Excessive salt and sugar intake: what’s worse?
Of course, the consumption of sugar, because it is not an important nutrient, and its consumption is associated with several diseases.
Reducing your sugar intake or even eliminating it from your diet has many health benefits. First of all, diabetes would no longer be an endemic disease.
It would also reduce obesity and, as a result, many related problems, such as heart disease. In addition, it will reduce the incidence of some types of digestive cancer.
How to reduce sugar intake
One of the main problems you may face when trying to reduce your sugar intake is that you are already used to it. It is best to try to replace processed sugar foods with sugar-free alternatives.
It would be great to start cooking them at home without using sugar for sweetening. Eating fruits is a great way to make your preparations sweet. Although they contain sugar, they contain much less sugar than regular sugar.
At first, it will be very difficult for you because you like processed food. However, over time, your “need” to consume industrial foods will disappear, and you will enjoy better health.
In any case, when it comes to debating what is worse: excessive consumption of sugar or salt, the truth is that you should not consume any food in excess. The best thing you can do is to eat everything in moderation.
Therefore, a flexible diet allows you to responsibly consume sugar and salt. This diet seems to be the best choice for combining health with pleasure when it comes to food.
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