Important Role of Sugar and Risk of Heart Disease

When it comes to creating a well-balanced and nutritious diet, sugar has an unfortunate reputation as being an enemy. Chances of heart disease increase when an excess of sugar is consumed on a daily basis. However, the good cholesterol and the triglyceride level increases in the body, lipids, and HDL concentration decreases due to the intense usage of sugar. Cardiologists in Karachi attributes excess sugar consumption to be one of the leading causes of heart problems.

A survey was carried out by grouping over 6000 adults by their level of cholesterol and sugar usage in their blood. The result of the survey was shocking because up to 16 % participants get their average calories from sugar. A high sugar intake individual consumes as much as 46 sugar teaspoons daily whereas low consumer categories consume as low as three sugar teaspoons a day. The recommended amount of sugar intake in men should be about nine teaspoons and six teaspoons in case of women. The second category of sugar can be derived from fruit or additive sugar.

What many people do not understand is that no one would be able to survive without the intake of sugar. For your body to function properly, it needs to rely on small amounts of sugar. At the same time that does not give the go ahead to consume an excess of sugary foods.

One of the disadvantages of sugar is that it causes the inflammation of the arterial walls. When sugar generatesinsulin spike continuously it starts to ravage the fragile endothelial lining of blood vessels. You will start experiencing all the sorts of heart problems if the endothelial lining is damaged, and it will leads to stroke and heart attack when it creates the inflammatory mayhem.

Additionally, excessive sugar consumption can lead to weight gain. High insulin levels combined with sustained weight gain can lead to diabetes and insulin resistance—which makes you prone to cardiovascular disease.

According to James J. DiNicolantonio, PharmD, who is a cardiovascular research scientist at Saint Luke’s Mid America Heart Institute in Kansas City, Missouri, he said “too much sugar leads to higher insulin levels, which in turn activate the sympathetic nervous system and leads to increased blood pressure. It may also cause sodium to accumulate within the cell, causing calcium to build up within the cell, leading to vasoconstriction and hypertension.”

The bottom line is that many diets, health experts’ and Diabetologists in Karachi advise that excess sugar consumption can lead to several heart diseases but, sugar has its place in your diet. Cardiologists in Karachi advise that you try to have drinks and foods that are sugar moderated,in order to decrease your risk for these complications.