We all know sugar’s bad for us, but do we know exactly why? We’ve rounded up the top reasons why you should be cutting back on the white stuff.

1. It’s ruining your smile

Your parents were right about candy rotting your teeth. Sugar provides the perfect source of energy for the bacteria living in your mouth, creating enamel-eating acid that can lead to tooth decay and open the way for cavities.

Tooth decay is the most common non-infectious disease in the world, with one study finding that 92 percent of adults in the US have suffered from the effects of sugar on their teeth. And that’s certainly not something to smile about says Dr Wleed Haq, an Implant Dentist who trained in London’s famous Harley Street.