Where does our country get most of its calories from? A significant source of empty, non-nutritious calories is sugar-sweetened beverages. Sugar-sweetened beverages are the single largest source of added sugars. Added sugars are expanding waist lines and increasing risk factors for cancers. Researchers are discovering more and more dangers of uncontrolled sugar consumption.
For example, women who regularly consume sugary beverages increase their risk of the most common type of endometrial, or uterine, cancer. The National Cancer Institute reports about 50,000 new cases of endometrial cancer each year with more than 8,000 deaths annually. How many of these diagnosed cases and deaths could be avoided?
Researchers from the University of Minnesota found a strong association between the amount of sugary drinks and the increased risk for cancer. Why are researchers not surprised? Sugar-sweetened beverages increase the risk for obesity.
Compared to normal weight women, obese women tend to have greater levels of estrogen and insulin, two risk factors of endometrial cancer.
Other conditions positively associated with sugary drinks and juices include pancreatic cancer, arthritis, and heart disease.
You can eat and drink what you want. You deserve to know the facts, however. It is time to act more decisively about what we consume as individuals. There are healthy alternatives. Be selective about what you feed your body.
The Right Way to Hydrate
When you hydrate the right way, your whole body will have to thank you. The brain thrives on proper and adequate hydration. Your body temperature, digestion, metabolism, and circulation depend on good hydration practices. Water will help lubricate and cushion your organs and wash out toxins and wastes from the body. It even keeps your skin healthy and shiny.
Your best bet is to stick to pure water. The best choice is distilled water. Distillation is one of the oldest and most effective ways to purify water. Otherwise, go for reverse osmosis filtered water, spring water, or sparkling water. Read nutrition labels and make sure your water is free of carbohydrates. Look out for artificial sweeteners as well.
Pure water with herbal or decaffeinated tea or coffee is acceptable. Green tea even has cancer-fighting antioxidants. However, limit decaffeinated coffee to small amounts to keep your body’s pH levels in balance.
Mix EnergyFirst Greenergy into your pure water to pack more nutrients, antioxidants, fiber, phytonutrients, and digestive enzymes into your water intake. This organic green drink is prepared with zero grams of added sugar.