Sugar is extremely popular.  According to the American Heart Assoiation, Americans consume an average of 77 grams of added sugar a day.  This is triple the recommended daily amount, but honestly not suprising because foods containing sugar tend to be our rewards.  Imagine a birthday without cake or never having ice cream.  That said, reducing sugar consumption can reduce Inflammation and risk of Cancer and diabetes, increase Energy, lead to better gut and dental health, lessen depression and anxiety, and lead to better skin.  That sounds like a lot of benefit for just reducing one thing and that is why at Better Body Clinical Nutrition it is our primary focus.  Dr. Nancy Appleton has an expanded list of direct effects of sugar on our bodies. Click here to see her 141 reasons sugar ruins your health.  Number 17 on her list is, "Sugar interferes with the body’s absorption of calcium and magnesium.”  I see this a lot in the formation of kidney stones, but also with exercise recovery, muscle cramps, and even restless legs in the evening.   Over at Eat this not That, there is more information on how the reduction of sugar helps with the 8 items above, so check it out.  Some great alternatives to sugar include: Stevia, Swerve, Just like Sugar, and even Maple Syrup and Honey in small quantities.  Google keto deserts and while not all of these are great options from a health perspective, there are a ton of great options to help with not feeling deprived, but also making it possible to consume less sugar.