Sugar is among the essential needs for us as the people of Kenya and for a good number of us, we can hardly go a day without taking in given amounts of sugary contents. Despite sugar being an essential foodstuff, it has a huge number of health effects that you should know. According to healthline.com, here are 5 health hazards of sugar on our bodies;

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1. Too much sugar causes excessive weight gain

Sugar from beverages are the major causes of obesity and weight gain among many individuals. Consuming sweetened drinks such as sodas and juices deposits fructose which is a simpler sugar linked with increased amounts of visceral fat in the belly causing obesity. 

2. When we take in too much sugar, we risk developing heart disease

The heart functions to oxygenate and pump blood all over the body. However, too much sugar causes deposition of fat molecules on the veins and arteries causing clogging of these vessels. This hinders proper flow of blood to and from the heart. This can in turn cause heart disease which can lead to death.

3. Too much sugar causes acne/pimples

Sugar-sweetened drinks and refined foods have been found to cause acne or pimples. High sugar content foods raise blood sugar and insulin levels causing production of oils and hence inflammations on the skin. These inflammations that contain oil are what we call acne.

4. Too much sugar may cause diabetes

Although sugar consumption is not directly linked to diabetes, but the fact that it causes obesity links it to diabetes as obese people have a higher risks of developing diabetes than non-obese individuals. Obese people have insulin resistance and this risks them of developing diabetes.