PSA

SUGAR: THE BITTER SWEET HIJACKER

What is sugar? Why do we crave it? Has it taken over society? Are we addicted? How does it affect you as an athlete or if you are a transformation client trying to change their body composition? In this PSA, I will answer these questions and help you to better understand what is really happening when we consume certain types of sugar and the consequences of over consumption. The effects of excess sugar consumption affect our mind, our brain and our body. Overall daily living is affected, sports performance is affected and we put ourselves in danger of physical, biological and emotional injury. The great thing about this scary topic of sugar, addiction and its recourse is that it’s all reversible! We can be just as resolute in breaking bad habits that we were when we fell down the slippery slope of creating them. This is GOOD news and there is a way out. You don’t have to be a victim and you don’t have to suffer the consequences on your previous choices.

A few quick facts before you click to watch the amazing video I created just for you!

• According to the Harvard School of Public Health, more than 70 million North Americans eat approximately 22 teaspoons of added sugar DAILY!
• The World Health Organization (WHO) made a bold move urging sugar intake to less than 5% of total calories, when the average North American intake is about 15%.
• A 15 year study in 2014 from the Journal of American Heart Association Internal Medicine, stated people who consume more than a quarter of daily calories as sugar are twice as likely to die then those who restrict intake to <10%.
• Sugar stimulates the brain reward center even more aggressively than cocaine.
• The food manufacturing industry is financially capitalizing on this addiction, by lacing our foods with hidden sugars!
• Be weary of “low fat” and “low sugar”, as it is usually replaced with hidden sugars and artificial sweeteners that still affect our reward circuit, causing the slippery slope of sugar cravings, leading to addiction!

Follow me in this PSA blog…. As we journey into “the land of sugar”. Post a comment below and let me know what you learned and what CHANGES you can IMPLEMENT into your daily behaviors.

SUGAR PSA by LISA GASKIN-HURGRONJE

Have a safe ride!

~ Coach Lisa~

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References:
Leaf, C. (2009). Who Switched Off My Brain. Controlling toxic thoughts and emotions.

Leaf, C. (2016). Think and Eat Yourself Smart: A Neuroscientific Approach To a Sharper Mind and Healthier Life.

Pitt, C. E. (2014). Hold That Thought: Reappraising the work of Dr Caroline Leaf.

https://cedwardpitt.com/tag/cognitive-neuroscientist/

Restak, R. M. (2009). Think smart: A neuroscientist’s prescription for improving your brain’s performance. Penguin.

http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/usda-recommended-sugar-intake-8628.html

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/sweet-taste-and-addiction

Avena, N. M., Rada, P., & Hoebel, B. G. (2008). Evidence for sugar addiction: behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 32(1), 20-39.