How sugar causes heart problems

    The effects of sugar on human health have generated a lot of discussion among dieticians. Some argue sugar is the primary cause of obesity and heart disease. Others, on the other hand, believe that sugar is not as harmful as it is portrayed. In this article, we will be focusing on the relationship between sugar and cholesterol. Research has shown that excess sugar consumption raises cholesterol levels, leading to many health problems. 

    It's critical to grasp the distinction between natural and added sugar. You can find natural sugar in unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and certain grains. These foods also provide crucial nutrients such as vitamins, antioxidants, and fibres, among other things. Added sugars are commonly used to sweeten, flavour, and increase the shelf life of processed foods. Other than increasing calories, they don't provide any other nutrients. Foods containing added sugar include sugary beverages, candies, baked items, sweetened dairy and many more processed foods.

    Now that you have a basic understanding of sugar let's look at how cholesterol works. Cholesterol is an essential nutrient in our bodies. It is a fat-like waxy substance that the liver produces. Cholesterol is carried across your body in your bloodstream by particular proteins, more precisely lipoproteins. It plays an essential role in the body, such as digestion, cell formation, and hormone synthesis. There are two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is also known as the "good" cholesterol because it carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to your liver to remove. The second cholesterol, LDL, is also called "bad" cholesterol because high LDL levels lead to plaque buildup in your arteries. 

    When you eat too much sugar, your body converts it into triglycerides. This is a type of fat found in your blood that your body stores and releases as needed. It stimulates the production of LDL cholesterol, generally known as "bad" cholesterol. When you consume a lot of added sugar, you not only cause the sugar to be converted into triglycerides and the formation of LDL, but you also hinder enzymes from breaking down triglycerides. Excess sugar produces an excess of LDL and triglycerides in your system, which your body cannot clear because the sugar inhibits enzymes. High triglyceride and LDL levels can lead to fatty accumulation in the arteries.

    Fat can accumulate in the arteries and begin to form plaques. These deposits eventually grow and make it difficult for enough blood to flow through or even develop a clot that completely blocks blood flow. In most cases, the restricted flow or complete blockage causes various health issues, including coronary artery disease, stroke, or heart attack. A coronary artery disease develops when plaque buildup narrows or hardens the main arteries that supply blood to your heart. A stroke is caused by clots or the lack of blood supply to a crucial part of the brain. A heart attack occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries leading to the heart. Narrowing or blocking blood flow can deprive the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. Over time, the heart is damaged, or a part of it dies. These are three of the many heart problems that can result from triglyceride and cholesterol buildup.

    So, if you consume excessive added sugar, your body will convert the excess into triglyceride. Triglyceride formation causes the production of low-density cholesterol or "bad" cholesterol. Additionally, enzymes cannot break down the triglyceride because the sugar inhibits its function. Triglyceride and cholesterol combine to form plaques in the arteries. Plaque buildup can obstruct or completely block blood circulation. Eventually, this leads to various heart problems caused by blood flow restrictions. Small amounts of sugar will not harm your health; however, doctors recommend that you be mindful of what you eat and maintain a balanced diet.