This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who trains with me! Sugar causes inflammation, and inflammation causes pain and chronic illness!

I like this article from Susan Brady, a Certified Nutritionist, Doctor of Integrative Medicine, Physical Therapist.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average American consumes roughly 47 pounds of cane sugar and 35 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup per year. 

Research shows that the consumption of foods high in sugar can cause inflammation. Studies measuring inflammation with a blood test called C-reactive protein (CRP) discovered that foods with a high concentration of sugar increase CRP levels.

This occurs because sugary foods cause a spike in a hormone called insulin which starts a cascade of biochemical reactions that lead to the production of inflammation.  Insulin is secreted by the pancreas and is responsible for taking sugar out of the bloodstream and storing it in the cells, which also contributes to the accumulation of fat.  Visceral fat, or stomach fat, itself secretes inflammatory proteins and hormones which generates chronic inflammation.

Most forms of joint pain and muscle aches involve inflammation and, even if the pain is the result of trauma, symptoms may be exacerbated and prolonged by eating foods high in sugar.

LIMITING SUGAR INTAKE IS A MUST FOR REDUCING THE ACCUMULATION OF AGES THAT CAN LEAD TO JOINT DAMAGE AND PAIN.

If you suffer from joint and/or muscle aches and pain, try eliminating sugar from your diet and focus on eating the REAL food provided by nature.  You will be amazed how much better you feel and how much more energy you have, along with improved overall health and fitness!