Why Sugar Makes You Fat?

Sugar donuts have a far greater visual appeal than oatmeal, and Fruit Loops taste a helluva lot better than Shredded Wheat. This isn't exactly a universal truth but it is pretty darn close. Sometimes we choose the oatmeal or Shredded Wheat anyway, because we want to eat right and we believe the unhealthy ingredients in the donut and sweetened cereal will make us fat. But how exactly does sugar increase our body fat?

Think of it this way. A well organized computer or smart phone has downloads, documents and applications stored in proper places so they can be used when needed. Our bodies store nutrients appropriately as long as they are useful to the body; otherwise, they get shoved into "files" which might not seem like the right place, and that usually means they are stored as fat.

The real culprit in weight gain is often high sugar/carbohydrate content rather than the consumption of fat. When we consume a sugary snack such as a Snicker's bar, or a large quantity of enriched flour (white bread) or pasta, our level of glucose, or blood sugar, rises. The body releases insulin to remove glucose from the blood and store it in the muscles and the liver. If there is too much glucose, however, and the muscles have reached their storage capacity, the insulin stores the remainder of the glucose in our body fat. Hence, we experience weight gain in the form of increased fat.

Not all sugars raise glucose in the same way. Refined sugars bereft of healthy nutrients such as fiber move through the metabolic process quickly, and they often leave the consumer feeling hungry again in just a short time. Eating more sugar repeats the cycle, and increases the glycogen that is stored as fat. Complex carbohydrates, however, are metabolized at a slower rate, causing less glucose storage in body fat. Moreover, the existence of dietary fiber that is often present in complex carbohydrates such as whole grain breads, brown rice, and beans, actually removes fat from the colon and passes it through the body as waste. The net benefit is reduced fat storage and less bad cholesterol in the body.

The permanent elimination of all carbohydrates from your body is dangerous, and can lead to very serious medical problems. The healthy approach to carbohydrates is just like everything else: always consume in moderation; never binge on sweets and slow down the speed at which you eat. Aim to have fifty-percent of your daily intake come from the 'good carbs' and that will still leave plenty of room for that occasional donut or bowl of Fruit Loops.

George is a freelance writer and author. He writes about health, fitness and men's issues.

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