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Saturday morning means running to Starbucks (or Dunkin’ if you’re blessed enough to live near one) or any coffee shop, really.
But before you head out the door to grab your caffeine fix, don’t forget that leading health experts warn against natural or artificial sweeteners for a slew of health reasons, from inflammation to tooth rotting and poor gut health. Your frothy drink might be better without them!
Here’s everything you need to know:
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“Each refined sugar packet contains at least 2 grams of sugar, 2 grams of carbs, and 11 calories,” Sofia Norton, RD from Kiss My Keto tells us. “Sugar, if consumed in excess, can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.”
“When we’re enjoying coffee at these popular coffee chains, rarely do we think about how much we’re putting into our drink,” she points out. “As long as it tastes good, right? We can benefit in the long run by reconsidering our coffee habits.”
"Here's a tip: For those who have a sweet tooth, it's better to bring your own sweetener that does not spike blood sugar and insulin," Sofia explains. "Stevia is a great option."
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“Individually packaged sugar found at restaurants and coffee shops can help with controlling sugar intake, but for many they cause an increase in sugar," nutritionist Lisa Richards of The Candida Diet tells us. "Because their servings sizes vary widely from one brand to the next it is possible to add more sugar to your beverage than intended. Diets high in refined sugar can lead to poor gut health, Candida overgrowth, inflammation, hyperglycemia, and weight gain - among many other consequences. Other than health consequences, these packets can carry germs and bacteria that may be ingested and cause illness.”
"Too much artificial sugar, including natural sweeteners, will contribute to health problems such as rotting of the tooth, weight gain, inadequate diet and decreased triglycerides," gastroenterologist Dr. Vikram Tarugu of Detox South Florida tells us.
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Dr. Jim Howell is a surgeon in Greenville, SC, who told us that eating sugar causes oral bacteria that build plaque and produces acids that erode tooth enamel, among other factors.
So--there you have it! More than one good reason to skip the sugar this morning. You're welcome!
