Is Sugar Really Bad for You?
Health
August 11, 2026

Is Sugar Really Bad for You?

124 words · ~1 min read
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B1 Pre-Intermediate
0:000:47

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Sugar is often blamed for health problems such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Dr Madusha Peiris, a specialist in appetite and gut hormones, says the effect of sugar depends on where it comes from and how much is eaten.

Sugar is found naturally in foods like fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. These foods give the body important nutrients, such as vitamins and fibre. Removing them just because they have sugar may make a diet less healthy.

The main problem is added sugar in foods like soft drinks and sweets. Eating too much added sugar can lead to weight gain, which is linked to diseases like diabetes. UK health guidelines say adults should eat no more than 30 grams of added sugar per day.

Vocabulary

6 words
Accent
obesityN/əʊˈbiːsɪti/

condition of being very overweight or fat

appetiteN/ˈæpɪtaɪt/

the natural feeling of wanting food

naturallyADV/ˈnætʃrəli/

existing by nature, not made by people

vitaminsN/ˈvɪtəmɪnz/

important substances in food for health

diseasesN/dɪˈziːzɪz/

illnesses that affect people or animals

adultsN/ˈædʌlts/

people who are fully grown or mature

Ready to learn these 6 words?

About 8 minutes · 5 activities

Reading Quizzes

9 questions
Question 1 of 9
1 / 9

According to Dr Madusha Peiris, what affects sugar's impact on health?

Choose an answer to continue

Great for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, IB, A-Level and everyday English speaking practice.

Speaking Tasks

5 questions

Is Sugar Really Bad for You?

August 11, 2026~1 min read
Not sure? Take the level test →
B1 Pre-Intermediate
0:000:47

Follow spoken words in real time.

Sugar is often blamed for health problems such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Dr Madusha Peiris, a specialist in appetite and gut hormones, says the effect of sugar depends on where it comes from and how much is eaten.

Sugar is found naturally in foods like fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. These foods give the body important nutrients, such as vitamins and fibre. Removing them just because they have sugar may make a diet less healthy.

The main problem is added sugar in foods like soft drinks and sweets. Eating too much added sugar can lead to weight gain, which is linked to diseases like diabetes. UK health guidelines say adults should eat no more than 30 grams of added sugar per day.

Vocabulary

6 words
Accent
obesityN/əʊˈbiːsɪti/

condition of being very overweight or fat

appetiteN/ˈæpɪtaɪt/

the natural feeling of wanting food

naturallyADV/ˈnætʃrəli/

existing by nature, not made by people

vitaminsN/ˈvɪtəmɪnz/

important substances in food for health

diseasesN/dɪˈziːzɪz/

illnesses that affect people or animals

adultsN/ˈædʌlts/

people who are fully grown or mature

Ready to learn these 6 words?

About 8 minutes · 5 activities

Reading Quizzes

9 questions
Question 1 of 9
1 / 9

According to Dr Madusha Peiris, what affects sugar's impact on health?

Choose an answer to continue

Great for IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, IB, A-Level and everyday English speaking practice.

Speaking Tasks

5 questions