Sugar: A Bitter Sweet Tale

Let me say this plain simple.  Sugar isn't what it used to be and what it has become is somewhat terrifying.

Making smart choices in controlling sugar helps you control weight, aging, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, hypoglycemia, cancer and a host of indirectly related diseases.

Sugar is a Culprit in a host of various health issues and problems.  Around half of Americans consume a half pound of sugar a day! In comparison the average persons consumption of sugar in single year has jumped from 4 lbs in the 1700's, 18 lbs in the 1800's, to 90 lbs in the 1900's, to monstrous current number of 180 lbs annually.

Now that we know our sugar intake has gotten out of control lets hit the facts about what this sugar is doing to our bodies.

Facts

1. 1 gram of sugar contains 4 calories.

2. Sugar is digested immediately which means the calories are instantly available to be used as energy.

3.  When the body does not need energy the calories are instantly converted to fat.

4. When sugar is consumed the pancreas must excrete insulin to regulate blood-sugar levels, the stress from this creates additional problems including throwing off triglyceride levels which is a major predictor in heart disease.  This may also play a role in Type-II diabetes which occurs when the receptor cells to insulin no longer works, along with many other insulin related problems.

 5 STAY AWAY from high-fructose corn syrup.  Simple sugars such as fructose and glucose found naturally in food are balanced with enzymes, vitamins, and minerals.  This allows the sugar to be naturally digested and at a slower pace.  High-fructose corn syrup is corn syrup that has been genetically altered to become a sugar/syrup. Corn is easy to grow cheaply and yield large amounts. Every cell in the body can digest glucose(designed for our body) only the liver can digest high-fructose corn syrup(designed for profit).

6. Around the 1970's most sugary beverages made the switch form glucose to high-fructose corn syrup. Coca-cola has 39 g's.  Vitamin Water has 33g's.

7.  Daily % values of sugar do not exist.  The American Heart Associations recommends keeping intakes under 6 teaspoons for women and 9 for men. 

Fight Back

Be smart about sugar.  Take an extra second when buying food or drink and look at the amount of sugar, then remember this article.  Lastly, take your eyes down to the ingredients list.  If you see high-fructose corn syrup gently place it back and choose a product that wasn't synthesized in a laboratory.  Remember even juices and sports drinks that are perceived to be healthy may shock you on their amounts of sugar.

As always questions and comments are appreciated.