Sugar, sweet or sour?

Our bodies are not developed to handle (despite thousands of years of evolution) sugars, artificial sweeteners, hydrogenated fats etc. Our bodies in fact can just about handle the sugar and carbohydrate intake from natural foods such as fruits, vegetables and honey.

 

Refined Sugar is bad for us because it raises the insulin level in our blood.

Raised blood insulin levels depress the immune system. If your immune system is depressed then your ability to fight disease is weakened.

Raised blood insulin levels can cause weight gain. Insulin promotes the storage of fat; so, when you eat foods high in refined sugar, you increase fat storage. Obviously, the result is rapid weight gain.

Refined Sugar contains no vitamins or minerals so in order for sugar to be metabolized it must draw on the body’s reserve of vitamins and minerals.

 

In summary here are some ways that refined sugar can affect your health:

• Sugar can suppress the immune system.
• Sugar can upset the body’s mineral balance.
• Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
• Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
• Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
• Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
• Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
• Sugar can cause hypoglycemia.
• Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
• Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
• Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency.
• Sugar can cause copper deficiency.
• Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
• Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
• Sugar can promote tooth decay. • Sugar can lead to periodontal disease.
• Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
• High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis

 

The cons in this case far out way the advantages as can be seen from the extensive list above.
So in whole if you need to take sugar try the natural approach e.g. honey or at least cut down on the sugar and try and avoid sugar substitutes that contain Aspartame. Aspartame is a chemical found in most sweeteners and is a big substitute in foods to replace sugar, this includes so called healthy drinks. The Aspartame debate is a whole other topic in itself.