The idea of a sugar-fueled energy rush doesn't hold up the way people think. Get answers to the most common questions about how sugar affects the body.
Video Highlights
- Sugar is your body's main energy source, and all carbohydrates are broken down into sugar for fuel.
- Not all sugar is the same. Naturally occurring sugars in fruits, vegetables and dairy come with nutrients, while added sugars provide little nutritional value.
- That afternoon energy slump may be tied to changes in blood sugar levels after eating.
- The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to no more than 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 teaspoons per day for men.
- Sugar can be part of a healthy diet, but too much of any nutrient, including sugar, can contribute to weight gain and increased disease risk.
We've likely all heard of a sugar rush, especially when it comes to the supposed effect sugar can have on children. As adults, we've probably all experienced the opposite, though — a sugar crash or a "carb coma," as they say.
So what's the deal? Can sugar really have such different effects on the body?
In the video above, Kylie Arrindell, wellness dietitian at Houston Methodist, answers your most-searched questions about sugar, including:
- What does sugar do to your body?
- Are sugar rushes and crashes real?
- Are there good and bad sugars?
- What should my sugar intake be?
- Is sugar bad for you?
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