Refined sugar includes a myriad of products, including table sugar, powdered sugar and super-refined sugars found in processed foods. Any sugar product that has been processed to enhance its texture and sweetness, such as milled sugarcane, is a refined sugar. Americans eat 22.2 tsp. of added sugar daily, much of it refined, according to a 2009 report from the American Heart Association. Sugar is an inexpensive way to make food taste good, so manufacturers add it to products to mask otherwise bland flavors. The extra 355 calories in added sugars that people are consuming daily, however, have very serious side effects.
High Calorie
Eating too much refined sugar adds extra calories to your diet. If you consume more calories than you burn daily, you will gain weight. Adding just 100 calories extra of refined sugars daily will result in over 10 extra pounds over the course of a year. Weight gain and obesity correlates with the development of chronic health problems such as type 2 diabetes, some cancers and heart disease.
No Nutrients
Many foods with excessive amounts of refined sugar, such as soda and candy, also lack nutrients. When you fill up on refined sugar, you leave less room for nutrient-dense food like fruit, dairy and whole grains.
Health Problems
The American Heart Association notes that over-consuming refined sugar may negatively impact your health. Consuming too much refined sugar may raise your blood pressure and contribute to elevated triglycerides, a type of fat in your blood. Both conditions raise your risk of developing heart disease. High consumption of refined sugars may also increase body inflammation, aggravating arthritis or autoimmune conditions.
Tooth Decay
Bacteria in the mouth feed on refined sugars, creating tooth decay. Sugar causes glycoproteins to adhere to the teeth, resulting in the formation of plaque. The bacteria adhere to the plaque, and begin the process of decay. Avoiding sugary snacks is a recommended method of protecting your teeth.
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