Most Americans currently have an addiction to sugar. The fact is, sugar is everywhere we look. It is obviously in sweet things, like candy and soft drinks, and it also hides in places we might not think about, like ketchup and processed luncheon meats. Manufacturers add it to many products to make them look and taste more appealing, to extend their shelf life, and, quite possibly, to make you more likely to continue buying their products.

People of all ages suffer from an addiction to sugar: Babies who drink formula, toddlers who eat sugary snacks and drink excessive quantities of fruit juice, children who eat processed foods, teens who drink hundreds of ounces of soda, and adults, even those who try to eat a healthy diet, suffer from an addiction to sugar.

What Addiction to Sugar Does to Our Bodies

Sugar is essential for life - and every food we eat eventually breaks down into sugar so that our cells can function properly. Unfortunately, many of the modern "convenience" foods we eat today are rapidly broken down into sugary components, and they enter our bloodstream much too rapidly.

If you feel tired or get sudden bursts of energy and then crash, or if you feel irritable when you don't get to eat your favorite snack, you may be experiencing the symptoms of sugar addiction. These things are all problematic, but they're not the worst that can happen. Addiction to sugar can lead to diabetes and obesity, and both of those conditions can lead to further health complications and an early grave.

How We Benefit When We End Our Addiction to Sugar

When you end your addiction to sugar more than likely you will find you feel more vibrant and energetic. You will sleep more soundly, and wake feeling refreshed. You might just find you are able to focus better, and that you function better on all levels.

Many people who end their addiction to sugar lose pounds and inches, primarily from their stomach area, where problematic fat tends to accumulate. Abdominal fat is much more dangerous than fat in other places, since it grows right into the tissues and organs. You will find that you look forward to exercise, and you will probably feel much better than you have in years.

In addition, when you successfully break your addiction to sugar you greatly reduce your risk of diabetes and other serious degenerative diseases. Some people who are on the brink of insulin dependence discover that quitting sugar brings them back to a state of health - and gives them the opportunity to enjoy life without the need for constant monitoring and medication.

Educating yourself about sugar addiction, and learning how to end it might well be one of the best things you can do for yourself.