Say No to Sugar

Sweet and Heat

Spring sure didn’t last long! We’re now on to the sweltering heat of summer- which most would agree is a blessing and enjoyable! As the world continues to be stressful, at least we have fresh air and sunshine to keep us relaxed, active, and finally more social again.

As you go about your new outdoor activities, make sure you are replenishing your system with the secret elixir of good health- water! When the temperatures and humidity rise, it is even more important to stay hydrated in order to stay healthy. You not only still need more daily water and minerals; you now need to replenish what you are losing via sweat in addition to your normal intake.

Reaching for a sweet beverage on a hot day can be very refreshing, but the negative effects of sugar will always outweigh the benefit of your tasty beverage of choice. In fact, sugar of all kinds is the single worst contributor to poor health. The negative effects of excess sugar intake are endless; because sugar will literally rewire your brain pathways, increase nerve and vessel inflammation, and reduce blood flow to vital organ systems. This leads to mental health issues, including a 60% increase in the likelihood of anxiety/depression, as well as significant increases in the likelihood of morbid issues like Diabetes, Strokes, Heart Attacks, and Kidney Failure. Sugar also increases aging by degrading proteins in your skin and soft tissues; and exacerbates inflammatory processes like arthritis- leading to more pain and chronic issues.

At OHZ, we have always discussed the “hierarchy” of sugar- with plant sugars being the best to consume. This includes fructose from fruits and simple sugars that come directly from natural foods. The worst type to consume is liquid sugar (mostly high-fructose corn syrup), with complex carbohydrates a close second on the do-not-eat scale. Complex carbs include most bread-based foods, even if they are not sweet or have sugar added to them. Another category of not-good-for-you sugar is the sweets, candies, etc. that are sugar based or have sugar added.

So, as you are beating the heat and reaching for a refreshing beverage- there is only one correct choice: water! There are many ways to make water more flavorful; from sugar-free, natural sweeteners to fruits and veggies. You can also try our Dynamic Hydrate product from Nutri-Dyn, a delicious blue-raspberry flavored electrolyte powder (think healthy Gatorade). You can order in office or online today!

Yours in health,

Dr. J.