We all love a sweet treat now and then, but how do you know if sugar is causing a major problem in your life?
Maybe you polished off all of the chocolates meant for trick or treaters at Halloween, or you keep having to repurchase Christmas selection boxes as they're just too irresistible?
A doctor has shared three simple questions which could reveal if your love of sugar is more than just a sweet tooth.
Dr Megan Rossi calls herself the Gut Health doctor, and shares advice on social media about gut health.
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Sugar is one of the main culprits which can cause problems and imbalances in the gut.
She also explains the difference between added sugars and naturally occurring varieties in fruits.
Sugar lurks everywhere, from the obvious chocolate bars and candies, to pasta sauces and even bread.
She said 'natural' sweeteners such as coconut sugar can be too much of a good thing.
Dr Rossi says we shouldn't cut out sugar totally, but says many of us are 'generally having too much', according to Gloucestershire Live.
Natural sugars are found in things like fruit, vegetables and fermented dairy products.
The three questions to ask yourself are:
1) Are your sugar cravings intense and happening often?
2) Have you noticed your sweet tooth creeping up (e.g., more sugar in your tea)?
3) Are sugary snacks replacing nutrient-rich meals?
If you answer yes, you may have a sugar problem, and it's bad for more than just your teeth.
Dr Rossi warns: "Being overweight increases your risk of health problems such as heart disease, some cancers and type 2 diabetes.
"Sugar is one of the main causes of tooth decay, and while sugar gets a bad rep on social media, but it's not as simple as saying, 'sugar is bad'. In fact, cutting out all sugar from your diet is actually much worse for both your gut and overall health."
She advised against the all-or-nothing approach.
"If you were to go 'sugar-free', as many influencers and recipes promote (including many blood sugar apps ), then you would actually be doing more harm than good. This is because you would be cutting out both sources of sugar and depriving your microbiome of many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant chemicals found in whole fruit, veg and fermented dairy."
She said there are health risks to a 'sugar-free' life, too.
"From poor skin and mental health to a slower metabolism, these are all potential consequences of going 'sugar-free.'"
According to researchers, a trial in 2014 hosted by the JAMA Internal Medicine found that individuals who consumed 17% to 21% of their calories from added sugar were at a 38% higher risk of dying from heart disease.
"Basically, the higher the intake of added sugar, the higher the risk for heart disease," warns Dr Hu.
Step away from the sweeties.
Topics: Food and Drink, Health, Science
Jen Thomas