Why does a diet high in sugar lead to weight gain?(2 points) Responses Fat is a carbohydrate, which leads to weight gain. Fat is a carbohydrate, which leads to weight gain. Sugary food causes blood sugar levels to spike, telling the body to retain weight. Sugary food causes blood sugar levels to spike, telling the body to retain weight. Sugar is a lipid, which is stored as fat in the body. Sugar is a lipid, which is stored as fat in the body. Sugar and fat are made of the same elements, so sugar can be converted to fat. Sugar and fat are made of the same elements, so sugar can be converted to fat.
1. Sugary food causes blood sugar levels to spike, telling the body to retain weight: When we consume foods high in sugar, our blood sugar levels rise rapidly. In response, the body releases insulin to remove the excess sugar from the bloodstream and store it as glycogen in the liver and muscles. However, if the glycogen stores are already full, the excess sugar is converted into fat and stored in adipose tissue, leading to weight gain.
2. Sugar and fat are made of the same elements, so sugar can be converted to fat: Both sugar and fat are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. During digestion, sugars are broken down into glucose molecules, which can be converted into fatty acids through a process called lipogenesis. These fatty acids are then joined together to form triglycerides, which are stored as fat in the body's adipose tissue, contributing to weight gain.
1. Fat is a carbohydrate, which leads to weight gain:
This statement is incorrect. Fat is actually a separate macronutrient from carbohydrates. While both fat and carbohydrates can contribute to weight gain if consumed in excess, they have different effects on the body. Consuming excess dietary fat can result in weight gain because it is calorie-dense and contains more calories per gram compared to carbohydrates and protein.
2. Sugary food causes blood sugar levels to spike, telling the body to retain weight:
This statement is partially true. When we consume foods high in sugar, such as soda or candies, it causes a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. In response, the body releases insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin promotes storage of excess glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscles, and if those storage sites are already full, the excess glucose is converted into fat and stored in fat cells. So, while it is not the sugar itself that directly causes weight gain, the spike in blood sugar caused by excessive sugar intake can indirectly lead to weight gain over time if not balanced with physical activity and healthy eating habits.