Sugar Is Not So Sweet

Sugar How Much Do We Need?

Hi Everyone. Welcome to our blog. Today I am going to give you some information on one of the questions we get the most at our facility.  We constantly get asked, how much sugar should I have? Here are some scary facts that I’m sure you didn’t know about sugar. 

Sugar Not So Sweet

Did you know that the average american consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week? This is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the form of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar) and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods. Some of these include bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce,, and a plethora of microwave meals.

In the last 20 years we have increased sugar consumption in the U.S. from 26 pounds to 135 lbs of sugar per person per year. Prior to the turn of the century (1887-1890), the average consumption was only 5 lbs per person per year.

The glycemic index is a measure of how a given food affects blood-glucose levels, with each food being assigned a number rating. The lower the rating, the slower the absorption and digestion process, which provides a more gradual, healthier infusion of sugars into the bloodstream. On the other hand, the higher rating means that blood glucose levels are increased quickly, which stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin to drop blood sugar levels. These rapid fluctuations of blood sugar levels are not healthy because of stress they place on the body. One of the major drawbacks is that it raises the insulin level, which inhibits the release of growth hormones, which, in turn, depresses the immune system. An influx of sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body’s blood sugar balance, triggering the release of insulin, which the body uses to keep blood sugar at a constant and a safe level. Insulin also promotes the storage of fat, so that when you eat sweets high in sugar, you’re making way for rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease. Complex carbs tend to absorb more slowly, lessening the impact blood sugar levels. 

The health dangers from ingesting high doses of sugar on a habitual basis are well documented. Simple sugars have been linked to asthma,  mood swings,  personality changes, mental illness, nervous disorders, diabetes, heart disease,  gallstones, hypertension and arthritis.

Here is a list of ways 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 cause drowsiness & decreased activity in children, can contribute to eczema in children.

• Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.

• Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).

• Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).

• Sugar can cause hypoglycemia, kidney damage, chromium and copper deficiencies.

• Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.

• Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease, compromising the lining of the capillaries.

• Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.

• Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.

• Sugar can promote tooth decay, which can lead to periodontal disease, & produce an acidic stomach.

• Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children.

• Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair.

• Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.

• High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

• Sugar can contribute to diabetes, and increase the body’s fluid retention.

• Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis, and can cause atheroscleroses.

• Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity, and decreased glucose tolerance.

• Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease, and can increase total cholesterol.

• Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure.

• Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream, and can cause food allergies.

• Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.

• Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.

• Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver.

• Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver.

• Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney.

• Sugar can cause depression, hypertension, and hormonal imbalance.

• Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.

• Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.

• Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes.

• Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets.

• Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.

So next time you reach for that second piece of cake or that second scoop of ice cream, keep in mind the effects that sugar will have on you and your diet.