Wholapola contains no added sugar because sugar is considered the 'sweet hazard'.
WHOLAPOLA contains no added sugar! We use Zùsto, a fiber-rich sugar substitute. Beyond simply avoiding the negative effects of sugar, we’ve added the numerous health benefits of high-quality fiber.
Want to learn more? Visit the Zùsto website. Below, you’ll find the results of a study conducted at Harvard University.
Excessive added sugar can be one of the greatest threats to cardiovascular health.
Sugar carries a dual reputation when it comes to health. It occurs naturally in all foods containing carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy. Consuming unprocessed foods with natural sugars is perfectly fine. Moreover, plant-based foods are rich in fiber, essential minerals, and antioxidants, while dairy products provide protein and calcium.
Consuming too much sugar The real problems arise, however, when you consume too much added sugar—the sugar that food manufacturers add to products to enhance flavor or extend shelf life.
We are consuming far too much added sugar. On average, adult men take in 24 teaspoons of added sugar per day, according to the National Cancer Institute. That is equivalent to 384 calories.
“The impact of excess sugar intake on obesity and diabetes is well-documented, but one aspect that may surprise many men is how their sugar habit can seriously impact their heart health,” says Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
How it affects your heart health
In a study published in 2014 in JAMA Internal Medicine, Dr. Hu and his colleagues found a link between a high-sugar diet and a greater risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Over the course of the 15-year study, people who consumed 17% to 21% of their calories from added sugar had a 38% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who consumed 8% of their calories from added sugar.
“The higher the intake of added sugar, the higher the risk of heart disease,” said Dr. Hu.
Exactly how sugar impacts heart health is not yet fully understood, but there appear to be several indirect links. For instance, high amounts of sugar put a heavy burden on the liver. “Your liver processes sugar in the same way as alcohol, converting it into fat.”
“Dietary carbohydrates are converted into fat,” says Dr. Hu. Over time, this can lead to a greater accumulation of fat, which may result in fatty liver disease—a contributing factor to diabetes, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease.
Consuming too much added sugar can raise blood pressure and worsen chronic inflammation, both of which are pathological pathways leading to heart disease. Excessive sugar consumption also contributes to weight gain by tricking the body into turning off its appetite-control system. This is because liquid calories are less satisfying than calories from solid food. As a result, it is easier for people to add more calories to their regular diet when consuming sugary drinks.
“The consequences of added sugar intake—higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver disease—are all linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke,” says Dr. Hu.
