How does sugar weaken your immune system

White blood cells, also known as "killer cells," are highly affected by sugar consumption. Like Dr. Roizen mentions, sugar hinders the immune system since, according to a study done on fruit flies, the white blood cells are not able to do their job and destroy bad bacteria or viruses as well as when someone does not eat sugar.

Another study showed that high blood sugar affects infection-fighting mechanisms in diabetics. High-sugar diets are linked to Type 2 diabetes since high sugar consumption can lead to diabetes -- a condition that in particular is associated with a higher risk of serious complications from COVID This nutrition study shows that it takes about 75 grams of sugar to weaken the immune system.

And once the white blood cells are affected, it's thought that the immune system is lowered for about 5 hours after. This means that even someone who slept 8 hours, takes supplements and exercises can seriously damage their immune system function by drinking a few sodas or having candy or sugary desserts throughout the day.

That study above was published in the s, but another study from expanded on the previous research and found that sugar, especially fructose like the sugar in high-fructose corn syrup negatively affected the immune response to viruses and bacteria.

Additionally, some research suggests that high intake may contribute to the progression of autoimmune diseases. You can support your immune system by living a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet is key to flu prevention and a working immune system.

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Here are 7 chia seed benefits, all backed by science. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Warwick, R. Added sugar. Salty foods. Foods high in omega-6 fats. Fried foods. Processed and charred meats. Fast food. Foods that contain certain additives. Highly refined carbs. Certain high fat foods. Artificially sweetened foods and beverages. The bottom line. However, sugar did not affect the number of neutrophils.

Professor of immunobiology at Yale, Ruslan Medzhitov challenged the ancient wisdom of starving a fever and feeding a cold. He explains that both viruses and bacteria can cause a fever. Medzhitov's research has brought him to the following conclusion:.

He explains that we are not feeding or starving the bacteria or viruses, rather modulating the inflammation resulting from the infection. Depending on the source of inflammation, fasting has different consquences. Medzhitov warns against oversimplifying the effects of eating when the body has contracted a bacterial infection or a virus. Medzhitov force-fed mice who were suffering from food-poisoning due to the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes and the mice died.

To find out what micronutrients were responsible for their demise, the Yale team split the micronutrients and fed them separately. Interestingly the Listeria mice survived when they were force-fed fats and proteins. However, when the infected mice consumed carbohydrates or glucose, they died. Starving the mice of sugar while they were infected with Listeria kept them alive.

Conversely, when Medzhitov and his team force-fed mice who had the influenza virus, they found that they were more likely to survive. The team at Yale concluded that glucose is required for survival in viral inflammation, however, it is lethal when treating bacterial inflammation.

Consuming carbohydrates that are rich in sugars, such as dates encourages the proliferation of good bacteria such as Bifidobacteria while reducing the growth of tumor cells. Suggesting that labeling sugar as bad, and an immunosuppressant may be inaccurate. Conversely, when fed a high-fat or high-sugar diet, animal models showed circadian disorganization and loss in microbial diversity.

The changes in the microbiota due to the diet shift can significantly alter inflammatory markers. Shifts in circadian rhythm in mice fed high-fat, high-sugar for 10 weeks also resulted in intestinal permeability, and reduced microbial diversity, which makes them more susceptible to injury and disease.

Fructose is a common additive in processed foods. When consumed in small doses, fructose can be broken down in the colon. Support science journalism. Knowledge awaits. See Subscription Options Already a subscriber? Create Account See Subscription Options. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. Subscribe Now You may cancel at any time.