Want to do something to improve your health? Ditch the sugar. Seriously, if you do NOTHING else, making this one change will lead to a healthier you.

Why is sugar so bad? (the short list)

Kim Beauchamp/judy** (flickr)

• It causes insulin levels to spike, increasing fat stores, exhausting the pancreas, and making blood sugar levels go wonky.
• It suppresses the immune system, making it harder for your body to fight infections.
• It changes the balance of bacteria in the mouth in favor of those that cause cavities.
• It changes the balance of bacteria in the intestines causing “dysbiosis,” which can lead to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gas, bloating, and other digestive complaints and diseases.
• It changes the brain’s chemistry. Don’t believe me? Feed a tablespoon to your kids at bedtime.
• It causes bad alterations in blood fats, raising triglycerides and lowering HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
• It makes you fat.
• It can lead to diabetes, even if you don’t get fat from it first.
• It increases your risk of cancer by fueling the growth of cancer cells.

Getting all the sugar out of your diet is one of the single most effective ways to improve your overall health.