Americans on average consume large amounts of sugar daily. This is a big problem in our society because increased sugar intake leads to numerous health problems. If you do not reduce the amount of sugar you consume, you may put yourself at risk for developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity. Sugar can be consumed in moderation, but to live as healthy as possible it is recommended to stay away from sugar as much as you can. If you are interested in eliminating sugar from your diet, a great place to start is with sugar substitutes. Sugar substitutes are beneficial to your health because they allow you to avoid the added calories provided by sucrose, which is table sugar.

Reasons to Avoid Sugars

Heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all serious problems that affect Americans daily, but child obesity is a new problem in America. This is a serious problem because it can lead to further health problem later in the child's life. A study performed by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that children and teens consume sugar-sweetened beverages regularly and these drinks provide an extra 356 calories each day. The main cause of weight-gain is the added calories provided by sugar. Sugar is present in many foods and drinks that are consumed every day and most people eat more sugar than they realize. In order to help reduce the amount of sugar consumed daily; the following is a list of reasons for reducing sugar consumption a healthy alternative such as Splenda.

Research on Excessive Sugar Consumption

Research published in the United States has found that those who drink one cup of soda a day have an increased risk of gaining weight or developing type 2 diabetes than those who consume one cup per month. This study has also proven that type 2 diabetes and obesity are caused by sugar and high fructose corn syrup. This is the main reason one should consider a sugar substitute because more Americans are trying to live healthier lives by limiting sugars. It is also not necessary to sacrifice the flavor of your food and drinks. There are many types of sugar substitutes available on the market; you just need to find one that is best for you.

Sugar Free Alternatives to Sugar

Sugar-free foods may contain an ingredient called polyols. Polyols provide the quality of sugar based foods without the negative health risks. The main benefits of choosing foods sweetened with polyols are that they taste like sugar, provide less calories, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is allowing foods that use polyols to provide the claim "does not promote tooth decay."

Splenda as a Sugar Alternative

Splenda, the artificial sweetener is a popular product that can benefit one's health significantly. Splenda contains zero calories and it is beneficial to those who suffer from heath issues. One disease in particular that can be caused by sugar intake is diabetes. Diabetes is an illness that affects many Americans and those with the disease have to be extra careful not to consume too much sugar.

Diabetes is a disease where blood sugar levels become abnormally high. This results in those suffering from type 1 diabetes to inject insulin into their blood. Many who suffer from diabetes have switched to sugar substitutes because of the low carbohydrates and low amounts of calories present in these products. Artificial Sweeteners are also highly beneficial to diabetics because they provide the flavor of sugars without raising glucose levels.

Sugar Substitutes are Excellent for Cooking

When it comes to cooking and baking, sugar is an important ingredient. Because of the health risks associated with sugar, you may want to consider a sugar substitute such as Splenda. Splenda acts like a sugar and allows you to bake or cook your favorite meals without sacrificing the flavor provided by sucrose.

Many consume sugar daily and this provides added risks of serious health problems. Switching from sucrose to Splenda can change your life completely by lowering your chance of developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. These problems come from the extra calories present in table sugar. Artificial sweeteners also help reduce one's blood sugar by helping to control diabetes. There are many ways to avoid these health issues and the easiest is to avoid products with large amounts of sugar. There are numerous recipes available to help you begin the path to healthy sugar-free baking. You may also want to begin by considering the substitution of sugar with Splenda or other artificial sweeteners.

Next time you decide to eat a candy bar or drink a soft drink, remember the health problems associated with excessive sugar consumption or choose sugar alternatives as your sweetener. Although sugar in small amounts is not bad for your health, it is best to avoid it altogether.