Why is blood sugar so important for your body? Energy. That’s right. Blood sugar provides the body with energy that your body needs to function properly. Glucose (comes from sugar) helps fuel and replenish the body so that it processes like it should. Besides giving your body energy and stabilizing it, you may ask, “Why is blood sugar really important?” Here’s why: High or low levels of blood sugar can actually be hazardous to your health. Unusual amounts of blood sugar can lead to sweating, dizziness, confusion, shaking, seizures, a fast heart rate, and other complications. A couple of well-known blood sugar disorders are Diabetes and hypoglycemia.
Blood sugar levels can depend on
(1) overeating
(2) unhealthy eating
(3) lack of exercise
(4) stress
(5) medication and
(6) by disease or infection.
Now you’re probably thinking, “What’s the best way to combat all that?” A healthy diet and exercise will help you maintain normal blood sugar levels. Choosing the right foods to eat and exercising regularly will balance your blood sugar levels so they don’t skyrocket on you. This doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the foods you’ve loved your whole life. There are natural and safe substitutes that will allow you to keep the “sweet” in your diet.
Xylitol, a common sugar alcohol, is a naturally occurring substance that looks and tastes like sugar, but is healthier for you. Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are commonly used as sweeteners and bulking agents. Table sugar and other carbohydrates can elevate blood sugar to unhealthy levels or cause reactions to the insulin that is subsequently produced. The great thing about xylitol is that it’s absorbed into the bloodstream much slower than table sugar and other carbohydrates and that means it carries 40% less calories.
Sugar alcohol comes in a variety of forms (e.g., xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and others). These can be found in an assortment of foods such as soft drinks, candy, chewing gum, cookies, and many other “sugar-free products.” Xylitol is crystalline in form and a normal substance found in everyday metabolism. The FDA has given xylitol its safest rating as a food additive which means it’s perfectly healthy and safe for human consumption. It’s even safe to consume for those with diabetes and hypoglycemia.
Blood sugar and sugar alcohol are closely related to stabilizing, maintaining, and helping the body process and function properly. If not closely watched, blood sugar levels in the body can cause serious health issues. Sugar alcohols can help reduce calories and keep blood sugar levels in areas that they need to be so that you can live a healthier and more energetic life.