Whether it's after a meal, a snack or a sweeter snack, sugar is a regular part of our daily lives and even if you're not a fan of sugar, sometimes you don't know it. Yes, it is true that sugar can be addictive and is even harmful to health.

If we talk about its harmful effects, you may already be familiar with some of them:

- Weight gain;

- Contributing to the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Not only is the intake of sugar almost always linked to cases of obesity and excess weight, but it also contributes to an increase in blood pressure, triglycerides and, consequently, to the risk of strokes;

- It increases the risk of cancer. Diets that have a regular intake of sugar increase inflammation in the body and leads to greater insulin resistance. There are already many studies that show how diet is directly related to the development of cancer. development of cancer. And sugar may be one of the causes;

- Sugar consumption also has an impact on daily emotions. Did you know that sugar has been correlated with some cognitive impairments, such as memory problems, but also with mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. In one particular study, it was concluded that people who consumed more than 67 grams of sugar per day were more likely to develop depression than those who ate less than 40;

- It has a visible impact on the skin. A diet lacking in variety and rich in sugars can even accelerate the skin's ageing process. Glycation causes the production of AGEs molecules, resulting from sugars and protein present in the body, which can damage the collagen and elasticity present in the skin. The result? Fine lines and wrinkles earlier.

- It takes away energy. Have you ever noticed that when you have a meal with processed foods (and, yes, these also carry sugar) you feel tired or lack energy shortly afterwards? Possibly you may still feel a very momentary spike in energy, but it doesn't last very long. This is because these foods lack substances like fibre and protein, which are essential for the body, and blood sugar ends up determining the energy levels you will feel. It is normal that you end up feeling the effects.

But let's take a deep breath, because it's not all bad. Before you declare war on sugar, remember that there are, in fact, sugars that are good for your health, as is the case with fructose, present in many different fruits. It is a natural sugar that you can consume every day, always in a controlled way, of course.

Read the labels you have at home. Those that say "no added sugars" are the ones you should look for. Soft drinks, frozen foods, desserts or gum are examples of foods that you should stay away from.

On the other hand, there are also other alternatives to look out for when you go to the supermarket - the so-called "low sugar products". What are these? These are products with much lower levels of sugar than traditional ones, which often use natural ingredients with a sweet taste for everyday meals.
This is the case with agave syrup, date syrup, cocoa butters, plant-based drinks, flours, bars and even chocolate.

Betting on a diet low in sugar helps to reduce cholesterol, inflammation, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, blood pressure and maintain a healthy weight.