Why does eating sugar cause weight gain?
Disease description:
I have a friend who really loves eating sugar, and now he's getting more and more overweight. I'd like to ask why eating sugar can cause weight gain?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Sugar, especially refined sugars such as sucrose and high-fructose corn syrup, contains large amounts of calories but hardly any other nutrients, and is referred to as "empty calories." After sugar is consumed, blood sugar levels rise rapidly, stimulating the secretion of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that promotes the absorption of glucose by cells, transferring sugar from the bloodstream into cells for energy use or storage.
When sugar intake exceeds the body's immediate energy needs, the excess is converted into fat and stored. Long-term excessive sugar consumption leads to fat accumulation in the body, ultimately resulting in weight gain and obesity. Excessive sugar intake can also cause elevated insulin levels.
Insulin is a hormone that promotes fat storage; high insulin levels cause the body to more readily convert excess calories into fat rather than using them for energy. Long-term high sugar consumption may also lead to insulin resistance, resulting in type 2 diabetes, and further promote weight gain.
