Pure Performance Physical Training

Great session this morning with the Aussie U19 team. Getting ready for WC2016.

Reasons to Eat Less Sugar That Have Nothing to Do With Losing Weight

Don’t be alarmed—but something’s hiding in your food. From the cereal you had for breakfast to the dressing on your salad to the ketchup on your fries, an addictive substance is lurking in many foods that you'd never suspect.

Far more loathed than fat or cholesterol these days, sugar has become public enemy No. 1 when it comes to the health of Australians. In fact, in our effort to listen to doctors' orders (and government guidelines) to consume less fat and less cholesterol, Australians turned to “healthy” low-fat foods that were actually loaded with sugar.

Eating too many of these empty calories has many health effects, the most obvious being major weight gain. Added sugar drives your insulin levels up, messes with your metabolism, and causes those calories to turn right into belly fat. And while losing weight is well and good, that’s just the beginning of the health benefits of cutting back on the sweet stuff.

Below are more legit reasons—besides fitting into skinny jeans—to tame that sweet tooth for good.

17. You'll make fewer trips to the dentist...
As mentioned in #16, consuming too much sugar is a surefire way to develop cavities and gum disease, so you’ll be seeing your dentist less frequently if you cut the sweet stuff out.

Reasons to Eat Less Sugar That Have Nothing to Do With Losing Weight

Don’t be alarmed—but something’s hiding in your food. From the cereal you had for breakfast to the dressing on your salad to the ketchup on your fries, an addictive substance is lurking in many foods that you'd never suspect.

Far more loathed than fat or cholesterol these days, sugar has become public enemy No. 1 when it comes to the health of Australians. In fact, in our effort to listen to doctors' orders (and government guidelines) to consume less fat and less cholesterol, Australians turned to “healthy” low-fat foods that were actually loaded with sugar.

Eating too many of these empty calories has many health effects, the most obvious being major weight gain. Added sugar drives your insulin levels up, messes with your metabolism, and causes those calories to turn right into belly fat. And while losing weight is well and good, that’s just the beginning of the health benefits of cutting back on the sweet stuff.

Below are more legit reasons—besides fitting into skinny jeans—to tame that sweet tooth for good.

16. You'll have fewer cravings.

Since over-consumption of sugar triggers the production of ghrelin—the hormone that signals to your body that it’s hungry—cutting down on sweets means you won't feel like a bottomless pit of hunger . Focus on whole, unprocessed foods, to minimize that annoying "hangry" feeling and feel full for longer.

Reasons to Eat Less Sugar That Have Nothing to Do With Losing Weight

Don’t be alarmed—but something’s hiding in your food. From the cereal you had for breakfast to the dressing on your salad to the ketchup on your fries, an addictive substance is lurking in many foods that you'd never suspect.

Far more loathed than fat or cholesterol these days, sugar has become public enemy No. 1 when it comes to the health of Australians. In fact, in our effort to listen to doctors' orders (and government guidelines) to consume less fat and less cholesterol, Australians turned to “healthy” low-fat foods that were actually loaded with sugar.

Eating too many of these empty calories has many health effects, the most obvious being major weight gain. Added sugar drives your insulin levels up, messes with your metabolism, and causes those calories to turn right into belly fat. And while losing weight is well and good, that’s just the beginning of the health benefits of cutting back on the sweet stuff.

Below are more legit reasons—besides fitting into skinny jeans—to tame that sweet tooth for good.

14 You'll breathe easier.

Studies suggest that certain dietary patterns, including a high-sugar diet, can make you more likely to suffer from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is the third leading cause of death in the U.S .

15. You'll have more energy.

Studies show that added dietary sugars can decrease the activity of orexin cells . These cells are basically the Energizer Bunnies of our bodies, and induce wakefulness, stoke the metabolism, and keep our system movin’ and groovin’. When orexin cells are turned off or absent, we’re sleepy and sluggish, which explains why you want to nap after a carb- and sugar-laden lunch.