While it wouldn't be fair to say that sugar has ever been fashionable, it could be said that there was once a time where it more "socially acceptable".
In other words, manufacturers were more than happy to plough as much sugar into products as possible - and consumers didn't bat an eyelid.
Now, things are changing. The media are all over the effects of sugar, and it has become something of an enemy in the food and drink industry. To highlight just why this is happening, let's take a look at just some of the ways in which it impacts your body.
The Link Between Sugar And Tooth Decay
Let's firstly get to the bottom of one of the most renowned correlations around when it comes to sugar. However, while we know that sugar does cause tooth delay, a lot of us aren't aware of the direct reasons why.
Sugar itself doesn't cause tooth decay - this is the responsibility of various bacteria that are found in the mouth. The problem is that this bacteria feeds on the sugar and multiples, leading to all of the tooth issues we have become accustomed to over the years. Over time, those trips to the dentist become more common, and before you know it porcelain veneers are on your agenda.
The Dreaded Correlation With Obesity
It's a word that is unfortunately becoming more common, with obesity statistics frightening to stay the least.
Well, in terms of direct correlations, sugar is up there with the worst offenders. Contrary to popular belief, this isn't a direct cause of obesity though. Instead, the correlation exists because of other factors.
For example, sugar contains high amounts of fructose. This is a simple sugar which has been found to make us hungrier. Ultimately, the more we eat, the hungrier we get. It's a vicious circle.
The Diabetes Factor
Another condition that has become a lot more understood over the years is diabetes. Again, this may have been brushed off a few years ago, but now it's firmly in our minds - and sugar is a big cause of it.
However, like a lot of the conditions we have spoken about, it's not necessarily a direct cause. Instead, studies have been performed which suggest that obesity is the biggest cause. Considering the fact that sugar can lead to obesity - it's again all about those great circles.
It Can Also Increase The Chances Of Heart Disease
Something else that sugar goes hand-in-hand with is heart disease. Unsurprisingly, this is a topic that has been the subject of a lot of studies, with one focusing on new fewer than 30,000 people.
The results in this were staggering. The people in this group whose diet was made up of 17-21% of added sugar had a significantly higher chance of dying from heart disease versus those who only had 8% of added sugar in their diet. How much higher? 38%. In other words, a scary statistic. So it only makes sense that you should reduce your sugar intake to reduce your chances of heart disease.