Halloween candy is popular among both adults and kids. While many enjoy sweet treats, their high sugar content can increase the risk of inflammation, which should scare us all.

Here are some of the dangers we face when consuming too much sugar.

How Much is Too Much?

The average American consumes 77 grams of sugar per day. According to the American Heart Association, men should consume no more than 36 grams of sugar per day (9 teaspoons), while women should have no more than 25 grams of sugar per day (6 teaspoons). Children ages 7-10 should have even less at 24 grams (5 teaspoons), and 4-6-year-old children should have no more than 19 grams of sugar daily (4 teaspoons).  

The Dangers of Inflammation

Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s healing process. When dealing with an injury or infection, the body produces inflammation, which consists of chemicals to fight off any harmful organisms that can cause infection. 

Unfortunately, excess sugar consumption in candy and other inflammatory foods could raise inflammation to unhealthy levels in the body. Over time, this can increase the risk of chronic inflammation and other serious health problems.

The following health issues have been linked to chronic inflammation:

Heart Disease

While inflammation has not been proven to cause heart disease, inflammation is a common ailment among individuals suffering from heart disease or strokes. A diet high in added sugars has been found to cause a 3-fold increased risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. [1]

Cancer

It is believed that inflammation is a key component in the progression of tumors, with infection and inflammation accounting for25% of cancer-causing factors. [2]  Inflammation has long been considered a cause of cancer: In 1863, Rudolf Ludwig Carl Virchow, "the father of modern pathology," hypothesized that the origin of cancer was at the sites of chronic inflammation.

Today, studies indicate chronic inflammation can predispose an individual to cancer, as demonstrated between chronic inflammatory bowel diseases and an increased risk of colon cancer. [3]

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks your own body’s tissues by mistake. It is known primarily as an inflammatory disorder that affects the joints, but RA can also affect other parts of the body as well, including the heart, blood vessels, eyes, lungs, and skin.

For some individuals with RA, swelling or joint pain are among the adverse reactions they experience after consuming foods high in sugar. In addition to sugar, those suffering from RA are advised to limit their intake of alcohol and coffee as well: a study on sugar-sweetened soda consumption and RA in women found the risk of the disease increased with regular consumption of these beverages. [4]

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes results from the body’s inability to use or produce insulin.

Common symptoms of diabetes include the following:

• Feeling tired
• Unexplained weight loss
• Numbness or tingling in hands
• Sores that do not heal
• Increased thirst and urination
• Increased hunger

Low-grade inflammation is common in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The overconsumption of fat and sugar has been found to increase the risk of hypothalamic inflammation: [5] The size of an almond, the hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls body temperature, hunger, thirst, fatigue, sleep, and circadian rhythms.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, beginning with memory loss and potentially progressing to the inability to carry on a conversation or respond to the environment. Inflammation has degenerated tissues in the brain, with acute and chronic inflammation increasing the risk of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease. [6]

Top Sugar Substitutes

Decreasing sugar consumption shouldn’t just be for Halloween, it should be year-round. For those who have a sweet tooth or suffer from inflammation, finding healthier options can help.

However, keep in mind that even natural sugars and calorie free sweeteners can still impact blood glucose levels, and contribute to inflammation. So when considering these healthier options, still keep your consumption at a minimum. 

Top Sugar Substitutes (Natural Sweeteners)	Calories Per Serving
Stevia	0 calories
Coconut sugar	1 tablespoon = 45 calories
Blackstrap molasses	1 tablespoon = 47 calories
Banana puree	1 cup = 200 calories
Real fruit jam	Depends on the fruit
Raw honey	1 tablespoon = 64 calories
Dates	1 Medjool date = 66 calories
Maple syrup	1 tablespoon = 52 calories
Balsamic glaze	1 tablespoon = 20-40 calories
Brown rice syrup	1 tablespoon = 55 calories

Top Foods For Inflammation

Many people are consuming more sugar than recommended. Over time this could increase the risk of various health issues, including inflammation. In addition to limiting sugar consumption, eating a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods is often advised. Here are the top foods to eat (and avoid) for chronic inflammation:

Best Foods for Inflammation	Worst Foods for Inflammation	Top Spices for Inflammation
Nuts	Fried food	Black pepper
Spinach	Fast food	Ginger
Avocados	Gluten	Cardamom
Olive oil	Processed meats	Ginseng
Black beans	Casein	Green tea
Blueberries	Sugary drinks and syrups	Garlic
Wild Salmon	Artificial sweeteners	Turmeric
Pineapples	Alcohol	Cinnamon
Bone broth	Omega 6 fatty acids	Rosemary

Top Supplements For a Healthy Immune System 

In addition to dietary changes, supplements are available to help combat chronic inflation. Here are three of the best all-natural anti-inflammatory supplements on the market:

TCF - CytoD+K2

CytoD+K2 was specifically created by nutraceutical research scientists to do the following:

• Build stronger bones
• Promote brain health
• Increase energy
• Support heart health
• Boost immunity 
• Speed up the metabolism
• Enhance sleep

CytoD+K2 contains vitamin D, which helps to reduce inflammation in the body. It also contains the perfect amount of vitamin K2, which helps to maximize its absorption in the body and potency.

Just one dropper a day is all needed to help support the immune system and those immunocompromised.

Systemic Formulas: #850 - MORS - Methylation Donor

MoRS contains a special blend of methylated folate and other B vitamins that help to decrease toxin exposure and cellular inflammation. In addition, MoRS can assist the following:

• Sleep disruption
• Heart function
• Estrogen dominance
• Premature aging
• Mood imbalances

MoRS is a product designed to reestablish methylation. Methylation is a chemical reaction that occurs in every tissue and cell in the body, playing a key role in the body’s ability to detoxify itself. This is critical because an inability to methylate properly could cause toxins to build up in the bloodstream, eventually causing disease.

Pure Form Omega Natural

Pure Form Omega® contains essential fatty acids that are both organic and plant-based. This unique formula of fatty acids helps to relieve inflammation, reduce joint pain, fight depression and promote heart health. Essential fatty acids can’t be produced by the body and must be consumed via food or supplements.

 Pure Form Omega® contains a patented mix of the following ingredients:

• Sunflower oil. Supports heart health, reduces inflammation, improves skin and increases energy
• Flaxseed oil. Assists with weight loss, boosts heart health, eliminates cellulite and improves immunity.
• Coconut oil. Aids in weight loss, boosts cognitive function and helps fight infections.
• Primrose oil. Boosts the health of the skin and hair, helps balance hormones, and helps treat osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Pumpkin seed oil. Helps relieve symptoms of menopause, supports prostate and urinary health, and boosts mental health. 
• Linoleic Acid. Helps optimize brain function, maintains healthy cell membranes, builds muscles and bones, supports weight loss, fat burning, regulates blood sugar and improves insulin function.
• Alpha-Linoleic Acid. Helps prevent feelings of depression, reduce pain, treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma, and other lung disorders. 

For an additional boost of Omega 6, this product also contains Gamma-Linolenic Acid, which supports the production of PGE1, which is known as the most potent anti-inflammatory.

Summary

Halloween is a fun time of year when both adults and kids alike can indulge in their favorite candies and sweets. While they may taste good, the high amounts of sugar they contain are not good for us. Remember: moderation is key. Decrease your risk of chronic inflammation by limiting sugar intake and using healthy sugar substitutes instead. Tell us about your favorite sugar substitutes below!

References

[1] Quanhe Yang 1, Zefeng Zhang 1, Edward W Gregg (et al). The Evidence for Saturated Fat and for Sugar Related to Coronary Heart Disease.   JAMA Intern Med. 2014 Apr;174(4):516-24. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.13563.  [PMID: 24493081]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26586275/ 

[2] Mariko Murata. Inflammation And Cancer.   Environ Health Prev Med. 2018 Oct 20;23(1):50. doi: 10.1186/s12199-018-0740-1. [PMID: 30340457]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30340457/ 

[3] Emily Shacter, PhD, Sigmund A. Weitzman, MD. Chronic Inflammation and Cancer.  Oncology, ONCOLOGY Vol 16 No 2, Volume 16, Issue 2. https://www.cancernetwork.com/view/chronic-inflammation-and-cancer

[4] Yang Hu 1, Karen H Costenbader 1, Xiang Gao (et al). Sugar-Sweetened Soda Consumption And Risk Of Developing Rheumatoid Arthritis In Women.  Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Sep;100(3):959-67. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.114.086918. Epub 2014 Jul 16.  [PMID: 25030783]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25030783/

[5] Yuanqing Gao, Maximilian Bielohuby, Thomas Fleming, (et al). Dietary Sugars, Not Lipids, Drive Hypothalamic Inflammation.  Mol Metab  v.6(8); 2017 Aug  PMC5518723. [PMID: 28752053]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5518723/

[6] C Holmes 1, C Cunningham, E Zotova, J Woolford, (et al). Systemic Inflammation And Disease Progression In Alzheimer Disease.  Neurology. 2009 Sep 8;73(10):768-74. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181b6bb95. [PMID: 19738171]. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19738171/