Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, with millions of people drinking it every day. However, many people add sugar to their coffee to make it taste sweeter.
While this may make the coffee tastier, it can also have negative effects on health. Here are 10 reasons why you should stop adding sugar to your coffee today.
1. Increased Caloric Intake
Sugar is a source of calories, and adding it to your coffee increases your caloric intake. If you add just one teaspoon of sugar to your coffee every day, you will consume an additional 16 calories per day.
Over the course of the year, this can add up to 5,840 calories, which is the equivalent of more than 1.5 pounds of body weight.
2. Increased Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Drinking coffee with sugar can also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
A study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that people who drank sugary coffee drinks had a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who drank coffee without sugar. The study found that each additional daily serving of a sugary drink was associated with a 13% increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
3. Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Drinking coffee with sugar can also increase your risk of developing heart disease.
A study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people who drank more than six cups of coffee per day that contained sugar had a significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease than those who drank less than one cup of coffee per day. The study found that each additional cup of coffee consumed with sugar was associated with a 22% increased risk of developing heart disease.
4. Increased Risk of Obesity
Drinking coffee with sugar can also increase your risk of obesity. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who drank sugary coffee drinks had a higher risk of obesity than those who drank coffee without sugar.
The study found that each additional daily serving of a sugary drink was associated with a 0.7 kg/m2 increase in body mass index (BMI).
5. Increased Risk of Tooth Decay
The sugar in coffee can also lead to tooth decay. When sugar is metabolized by the bacteria in your mouth, it produces acid that can erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities.
Drinking coffee with sugar can exacerbate this problem, as it increases the amount of sugar in the mouth and gives the bacteria more fuel to produce acid.
6. Increased Risk of Insulin Resistance
Drinking coffee with sugar can also increase your risk of developing insulin resistance.
A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that people who drank sugary coffee drinks had higher insulin resistance than those who drank coffee without sugar. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, which can lead to high blood sugar levels and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
7. Increased Risk of Metabolic Syndrome
Drinking coffee with sugar can also increase your risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and obesity.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that people who drank sugary coffee drinks had a higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome than those who drank coffee without sugar.
8. Increased Risk of Liver Disease
Drinking coffee with sugar can also increase your risk of developing liver disease.
A study published in the Journal of Hepatology found that people who drank sugary coffee drinks had a higher risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) than those who drank coffee without sugar. NAFLD is a condition in which fat accumulates in the liver and can lead to liver damage over time.
9. Increased Risk of Inflammation
Drinking coffee with sugar can also increase your risk of inflammation.
A study published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism found that people who drank sugary coffee drinks had higher levels of inflammatory markers in their blood than those who drank coffee without sugar. Inflammation is thought to be a key driver of many chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
10. Decreased Nutrient Intake
Finally, drinking coffee with sugar can also decrease your nutrient intake. When you add sugar to your coffee, you are reducing the space that would otherwise be filled with nutrient-rich milk or cream.
This means that you are getting fewer nutrients from your coffee than you would if you drank it without sugar.
Conclusion
There are many reasons to stop adding sugar to your coffee today. From increased caloric intake and risk of diabetes to increased risk of heart disease and inflammation, the negative effects of sugar on health are widely documented.
So, the next time you reach for the sugar bowl, think twice – your health may be better off without it.