I’m not sure how chocolate and candy hearts became the symbol for love, but I do know that the latest research continues to show us that sugar can be significantly detrimental to our health. Before we dive into a second candy month (here comes Easter!), here are just a few of the most noted harmful effects of sugar:

• Sugar causes inflammation. This is particularly harmful to those suffering from joint pain, arthritis, and migraines.

• Sugar suppresses the immune system. If you are suffering from a cold, the flu, bronchitis, or cancer, avoid sugar to give your body’s immune system the best opportunity at healing.

• Sugar feeds every cell in our body – including cancer cells. Several recent studies indicate that sugar may increase the growth of cancer cells; other research shows that it is the weight gain from sugar that increases our risk of cancer; especially harmful is increased fat around our heart and organs. Either way, reducing sugar may reduce our risk of cancer.

• Sugar is a main culprit in the growing epidemic of obesity and adult-onset diabetes in the U.S. According to health scientists at MD Anderson, the average American eats 260 cups of sugar a year! This isn’t just from sweets, it’s also from hidden sources, such as tomato sauce, salad dressing, “healthy” cereals, and more.

• Finally, sugar is addictive. When we eat sugar, our body releases the brain chemicals dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. These are the same chemicals that addicts crave. So while you think having one or two pieces of heart-shaped chocolates won’t be too bad, your brain is thinking, “I want more!” That’s why so many of us find it hard to resist sweet temptations.