What happens when you eat a lot of sugar?

Nutritionist Tran Pham Thuy Hoa, Department of Nutrition, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that among the three macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats), carbohydrates are used by all cells in the body. used because it easily decomposes into glucose. This is the basic fuel that provides energy to cells.

After maturity, normal cells gradually age and are replaced by new cells. Meanwhile, abnormal cells will continue to develop into benign or malignant tumors. At first, the small tumor takes oxygen and nutrients from nearby blood vessels, then grows in size to create new blood vessels to receive more oxygen and nutrients.

Malignant (cancer) cells divide, grow and multiply at a rapid rate, so they consume a lot of energy, equivalent to needing a lot of glucose, even in hypoxic conditions (also known as the Warburg effect). Expert Hoa led research showing that cancer cells need to use glucose 50-100 times more than normal. There is currently no evidence that sugar is a direct factor in increasing tumor size, but may indirectly affect their development. The body can regulate and control blood glucose levels thanks to insulin and other hormones. Meanwhile, all foods that provide energy (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) can be converted into glucose. Therefore, the tumor can still get glucose from these sources and other nutrients to continue dividing.

However, eating a lot of foods high in sugar (especially refined sugar and foods with a high glycemic index) over time can cause overweight and obesity, leading to hormone disorders and the risk of tumor formation. malignant tumor.

Overweight and obesity also increase the risk of insulin resistance. This is a condition in which the pancreas continuously releases insulin in response to high blood sugar, but the cells in the body do not respond appropriately by absorbing glucose. This leads to chronically elevated blood sugar and insulin levels, stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), increasing malignant tumor proliferation.

High levels of insulin and glucose in the blood also contribute to inflammation. Fat cells simultaneously release inflammatory adipokine proteins. In the long term, chronic inflammation leads to abnormal cell formation and growth, contributing to tumor progression. In addition, a diet high in refined sugar (candy, soft drinks) also increases oxidative stress in the body, leading to DNA damage and the risk of malignant tumors.

“Many people mistakenly believe that completely cutting out sugar will limit the tumor’s size,” said expert Hoa, explaining that there is no evidence that following a sugar-free diet reduces the risk of the disease. There is no way to “starve” tumors without harming healthy cells. On the contrary, strict diets and low carbohydrate intake can be harmful to health because this is one of the body’s main sources of energy. Cancer patients who diet can lose weight quickly, lack nutrients, slow down the recovery process, and increase the risk of complications after surgery.

Everyone, including cancer patients, still needs to use sugar at a reasonable level, suitable for their physical condition. Instead of using sugar, you can add herbal spices such as cinnamon, bay leaves and cloves… in dishes and drinks. Limit the use of refined sugar, refined sugar in sugary drinks, soda, sweets, ice cream… and processed foods. You should get into the habit of reading food ingredient labels before using them.

The diet prioritizes fiber in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Eat wholemeal bread or brown rice instead of white bread or white rice, eat whole fruits instead of just drinking juice… Add foods with anti-inflammatory properties such as fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) , olive oil, turmeric, ginger, green tea… combined with exercise and healthy living helps increase malignant tumor growth. People with cancer or benign tumors should consult a doctor or nutritionist for a suitable diet.