How Sugar Causes Inflammation in Your Body

The link between sugar and inflammation is one of the strongest in modern nutrition. Here are the mechanisms, simply explained.

The 4 Pathways of Sugar-Induced Inflammation

1. NF-κB Activation

Sugar directly activates NF-κB, the master transcription factor that triggers the production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1beta).

2. Insulin Resistance

Excess sugar creates insulin resistance. High insulin itself is pro-inflammatory and activates NF-κB in a loop.

3. Glycation (AGEs)

Sugar binds to proteins to form AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products). AGEs activate RAGE receptors, which in turn activate NF-κB. A vicious cycle.

4. Gut Dysbiosis

Sugar feeds pathogenic bacteria (Candida, Clostridium) at the expense of beneficial bacteria. Dysbiosis increases gut permeability and systemic inflammation.

Why This Is Important for Ginger Drinks

Ginger is sought after for its anti-inflammatory-guide-complet-gingembre-turmeric-2026">anti-inflammatory effect (it inhibits NF-κB). But if your ginger drink contains 34g of sugar per 100ml, the sugar reactivates the 4 inflammatory pathways that ginger tries to suppress.

It's like putting out a fire with water in one hand and pouring gasoline with the other.

The Consistent Solution

INTI — ginger + turmeric + black pepper, zero added sugar. The anti-inflammatory that doesn't contradict itself.