An October study conducted by a team of researchers at the University of California, San Francisco uncovered some important information about sugar levels and what reducing intake can do in the body.
The study followed 43 children who dropped daily sugar intake from 28 percent down to 10 percent. The reduced sugar intake was replaced with complex carbohydrates. The children’s weights were recorded daily and other tests were performed, including oral glucose testing, at the beginning and the end of the ten day study.
At the end of the test period, triglyceride levels and bad cholesterol (LDL) levels had dropped. Diabetes risk reduced and insulin and blood sugar levels became normal.
Our bodies do need glucose for energy, but this form of sugar metabolizes easily and is stored in the body for use later. However, fructose is metabolized in the liver, and extra fructose is converted to fat. This fat can even be dangerous, because it can enter the blood stream and raise the risk of stroke and heart disease. As an added negative, fructose does not help us feel full like other calorie sources do.
Unfortunately, we consume more sugar now than ever before, and our livers cannot keep up with the demand.
This recent study indicates that adjusting our diets can have a positive effect on our bodies rather quickly, in addition to the positive long term changes that we can see with healthy dietary adjustments.