76 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

January 28, 2009 at 5:29 pm (food & health)
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76 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health

Contributed by Nancy Appleton, Ph.D
author of Lick the Sugar Habit

 In addition to throwing off the body’s homeostasis, excess sugar may result in a number of other significant consequences. The following is a listing of some of sugar’s metabolic consequences from a variety of medical journals and other scientific publications.

 1 Sugar can suppress your immune system and impair your defenses against infectious disease.1,2

 2 Sugar upsets the mineral relationships in your body: causes chromium and copper deficiencies and interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium. 3,4,5,6

 3 Sugar can cause a rapid rise of adrenaline, hyperactivity, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and crankiness in children.7,8

 4 Sugar can produce a significant rise in total cholesterol, triglycerides and bad cholesterol and a decrease in good cholesterol.9,10,11,12

5 Sugar causes a loss of tissue elasticity and function.13

 6 Sugar feeds cancer cells and has been connected with the development of cancer of the breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, biliary tract, lung, gallbladder and stomach.14,15,16,17,18,19,20

 7 Sugar can increase fasting levels of glucose and can cause reactive hypoglycemia.21,22

 8 Sugar can weaken eyesight.23

 9 Sugar can cause many problems with the gastrointestinal tract including: an acidic digestive tract, indigestion, malabsorption in patients with functional bowel disease, increased risk of Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.24,25,26,27,28

 10 Sugar can cause premature aging.29

 11 Sugar can lead to alcoholism.30

 12 Sugar can cause your saliva to become acidic, tooth decay, and periodontal disease.31,32,33

 13 Sugar contributes to obesity.34

 14 Sugar can cause autoimmune diseases such as: arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis.35,36,37

 15 Sugar greatly assists the uncontrolled growth of Candida Albicans (yeast infections)38

 16 Sugar can cause gallstones.39

 17 Sugar can cause appendicitis.40

 18 Sugar can cause hemorrhoids.41

 19 Sugar can cause varicose veins.42

 20 Sugar can elevate glucose and insulin responses in oral contraceptive users.43

 21 Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis.44

 22 Sugar can cause a decrease in your insulin sensitivity thereby causing an abnormally high insulin levels and eventually diabetes.45,46,47

 23 Sugar can lower your Vitamin E levels.48

 24 Sugar can increase your systolic blood pressure.49

 25 Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.50

 26 High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs)(Sugar molecules attaching to and thereby damaging proteins in the body).51

 27 Sugar can interfere with your absorption of protein.52

 28 Sugar causes food allergies.53

 29 Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy.54

 30 Sugar can contribute to eczema in children.55

 31 Sugar can cause atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.56,57

 32 Sugar can impair the structure of your DNA.58

 33 Sugar can change the structure of protein and cause a permanent alteration of the way the proteins act in your body.59,60

 34 Sugar can make your skin age by changing the structure of collagen.61

 35 Sugar can cause cataracts and nearsightedness.62,63

 36 Sugar can cause emphysema.64

 37 High sugar intake can impair the physiological homeostasis of many systems in your body.65

 38 Sugar lowers the ability of enzymes to function.66

 39 Sugar intake is higher in people with Parkinson’s disease.67

 40 Sugar can increase the size of your liver by making your liver cells divide and it can increase the amount of liver fat.68,69

 41 Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney such as the formation of kidney stones.70,71

 42 Sugar can damage your pancreas.72

 43 Sugar can increase your body’s fluid retention.73

 44 Sugar is enemy #1 of your bowel movement.74

 45 Sugar can compromise the lining of your capillaries.75

 46 Sugar can make your tendons more brittle.76

 47 Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.77

 48 Sugar can reduce the learning capacity, adversely affect school children’s grades and cause learning disorders.78,79

 49 Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha, and theta brain waves which can alter your mind’s ability to think clearly.80

 50 Sugar can cause depression.81

 51 Sugar can increase your risk of gout.82

 52 Sugar can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.83

 53 Sugar can cause hormonal imbalances such as: increasing estrogen in men, exacerbating PMS, and decreasing growth hormone.84,85,86,87

 54 Sugar can lead to dizziness.88

 55 Diets high in sugar will increase free radicals and oxidative stress.89

 56 High sucrose diets of subjects with peripheral vascular disease significantly increases platelet adhesion.90

 57 High sugar consumption of pregnant adolescents can lead to substantial decrease in gestation duration and is associated with a twofold increased risk for delivering a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infant.91,92

 58 Sugar is an addictive substance.93

 59 Sugar can be intoxicating, similar to alcohol.94

 60 Sugar given to premature babies can affect the amount of carbon dioxide they produce.95

 61 Decrease in sugar intake can increase emotional stability.96

 62 Your body changes sugar into 2 to 5 times more fat in the bloodstream than it does starch.97

 63 The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.98

 64 Sugar can worsen the symptoms of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).99

 65 Sugar adversely affects urinary electrolyte composition.100

 66 Sugar can slow down the ability of your adrenal glands to function.101

 67 Sugar has the potential of inducing abnormal metabolic processes in a normal healthy individual and to promote chronic degenerative diseases.102

 68 I.V.s (intravenous feedings) of sugar water can cut off oxygen to your brain.103

 69 Sugar increases your risk of polio.104

 70 High sugar intake can cause epileptic seizures.105

 71 Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.106

 72 In intensive care units: Limiting sugar saves lives.107

 73 Sugar may induce cell death.108

 74 In juvenile rehabilitation camps, when children were put on a low sugar diet, there was a 44 percent drop in antisocial behavior.109

 75 Sugar dehydrates newborns.110

 76 Sugar can cause gum disease.111

 

References
1 Sanchez, A., et al. Role of Sugars in Human Neutrophilic Phagocytosis, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Nov 1973;261:1180_1184. Bernstein, J., al. Depression of Lymphocyte Transformation Following Oral Glucose Ingestion. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.1997;30:613

 2 Ringsdorf, W., Cheraskin, E. and Ramsay R. Sucrose, Neutrophilic Phagocytosis and Resistance to Disease, Dental Survey. 1976;52(12):46_48.

 3 Couzy, F., et al. “Nutritional Implications of the Interaction Minerals,” Progressive Food and Nutrition Science 17;1933:65-87

 4 Kozlovsky, A., et al. Effects of Diets High in Simple Sugars on Urinary Chromium Losses. Metabolism. June 1986;35:515_518.

 5 Fields, M.., et al. Effect of Copper Deficiency on Metabolism and Mortality in Rats Fed Sucrose or Starch Diets, Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1983;113:1335_1345.

 6 Lemann, J. Evidence that Glucose Ingestion Inhibits Net Renal Tubular Reabsorption of Calcium and Magnesium. Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1976 ;70:236_245.

 7 Goldman, J., et al. Behavioral Effects of Sucrose on Preschool Children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.1986;14(4):565_577.

 8 Jones, T. W., et al. Enhanced Adrenomedullary Response and Increased Susceptibility to Neuroglygopenia: Mechanisms Underlying the Adverse Effect of Sugar Ingestion in Children. Journal of Pediatrics. Feb 1995;126:171-7.

 9 Scanto, S. and Yudkin, J. The Effect of Dietary Sucrose on Blood Lipids, Serum Insulin, Platelet Adhesiveness and Body Weight in Human Volunteers, Postgraduate Medicine Journal. 1969;45:602_607.

 10 Albrink, M. and Ullrich I. H. Interaction of Dietary Sucrose and Fiber on Serum Lipids in Healthy Young Men Fed High Carbohydrate Diets. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1986;43:419-428. Pamplona, R., et al. Mechanisms of Glycation in Atherogenesis. Med Hypotheses. Mar 1993;40(3):174-81.

 11 Reiser, S. Effects of Dietary Sugars on Metabolic Risk Factors Associated with Heart Disease. Nutritional Health. 1985;203_216.

 12 Lewis, G. F. and Steiner, G. Acute Effects of Insulin in the Control of Vldl Production in Humans. Implications for The insulin-resistant State. Diabetes Care. 1996 Apr;19(4):390-3 R. Pamplona, M. .J., et al. Mechanisms of Glycation in Atherogenesis. Medical Hypotheses. 1990;40:174-181.

 13 Cerami, A., Vlassara, H., and Brownlee, M. “Glucose and Aging.” Scientific American. May 1987:90. Lee, A. T. and Cerami, A. The Role of Glycation in Aging. Annals of the New York Academy of Science; 663:63-67.

 14 Takahashi, E., Tohoku University School of Medicine, Wholistic Health Digest. October 1982:41:00

 15 Quillin, Patrick, Cancer’s Sweet Tooth, Nutrition Science News. Ap 2000 Rothkopf, M.. Nutrition. July/Aug 1990;6(4).

 16 Michaud, D. Dietary Sugar, Glycemic Load, and Pancreatic Cancer Risk in a Prospective Study. J Natl Cancer Inst. Sep 4, 2002 ;94(17):1293-300.

 17 Moerman, C. J., et al. Dietary Sugar Intake in the Etiology of Biliary Tract Cancer. International Journal of Epidemiology. Ap 1993.2(2):207-214.

 18 The Edell Health Letter. Sept 1991;7:1.

 19 De Stefani, E.”Dietary Sugar and Lung Cancer: a Case control Study in Uruguay.” Nutrition and Cancer. 1998;31(2):132_7.

 20 Cornee, J., et al. A Case-control Study of Gastric Cancer and Nutritional Factors in Marseille, France. European Journal of Epidemiology 11 (1995):55-65.

 21 Kelsay, J., et al. Diets High in Glucose or Sucrose and Young Women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1974;27:926_936. Thomas, B. J., et al. Relation of Habitual Diet to Fasting Plasma Insulin Concentration and the Insulin Response to Oral Glucose, Human Nutrition Clinical Nutrition. 1983; 36C(1):49_51.

 22 Dufty, William. Sugar Blues. (New York:Warner Books, 1975).

 23 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica. Mar 2002;48;25. Taub, H. Ed. Sugar Weakens Eyesight, VM NEWSLETTER;May 1986:06:00

 24 Dufty.

 25 Yudkin, J. Sweet and Dangerous.(New York:Bantam Books,1974) 129

 26 Cornee, J., et al. A Case-control Study of Gastric Cancer and Nutritional Factors in Marseille, France, European Journal of Epidemiology. 1995;11

 27 Persson P. G., Ahlbom, A., and Hellers, G. Epidemiology. 1992;3:47-52.

 28 Jones, T. W., et al. Enhanced Adrenomedullary Response and Increased Susceptibility to Neuroglygopenia: Mechanisms Underlying the Adverse Effect of Sugar Ingestion in Children. Journal of Pediatrics. Feb 1995;126:171-7.

 29 Lee, A. T.and Cerami A. The Role of Glycation in Aging. Annals of the New York Academy of Science.1992;663:63-70.

 30 Abrahamson, E. and Peget, A. Body, Mind and Sugar. (New York: Avon, 1977.}

 31 Glinsmann, W., Irausquin, H., and Youngmee, K. Evaluation of Health Aspects of Sugar Contained in Carbohydrate Sweeteners. F. D. A. Report of Sugars Task Force. 1986:39:00 Makinen K.K.,et al. A Descriptive Report of the Effects of a 16_month Xylitol Chewing_gum Programme Subsequent to a 40_month Sucrose Gum Programme. Caries Research. 1998; 32(2)107_12.

 32 Glinsmann, W., Irausquin, H., and K. Youngmee. Evaluation of Health Aspects of Sugar Contained in Carbohydrate Sweeteners. F. D. A. Report of Sugars Task Force.1986;39:36_38.

 33 Appleton, N. New York: Healthy Bones. Avery Penguin Putnam:1989.

 34 Keen, H., et al. Nutrient Intake, Adiposity, and Diabetes. British Medical Journal. 1989; 1:00 655_658

 35 Darlington, L., Ramsey, N. W. and Mansfield, J. R. Placebo Controlled, Blind Study of Dietary Manipulation Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lancet. Feb 1986;8475(1):236_238.

 36 Powers, L. Sensitivity: You React to What You Eat. Los Angeles Times. (Feb. 12, 1985). Cheng, J., et al. Preliminary Clinical Study on the Correlation Between Allergic Rhinitis and Food Factors. Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Ke Za Zhi Aug 2002;16(8):393-396.

 37 Erlander, S. The Cause and Cure of Multiple Sclerosis, The Disease to End Disease.” Mar 3, 1979;1(3):59_63.

 38 Crook, W. J. The Yeast Connection. (TN: Professional Books, 1984).

 39 Heaton, K. The Sweet Road to Gallstones. British Medical Journal. Apr 14, 1984; 288:00:00 1103_1104. Misciagna, G., et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1999;69:120-126.

 40 Cleave, T. The Saccharine Disease. (New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, 1974).

 41 Ibid.

 42 Cleave, T. and Campbell, G. (Bristol, England: Diabetes, Coronary Thrombosis and the Saccharine Disease: John Wright and Sons, 1960).

 43 Behall, K. Influ ence of Estrogen Content of Oral Contraceptives and Consumption of Sucrose on Blood Parameters. Disease Abstracts International. 1982;431437.

 44 Tjäderhane, L. and Larmas, M. A High Sucrose Diet Decreases the Mechanical Strength of Bones in Growing Rats. Journal of Nutrition. 1998:128:1807_1810.

 45 Beck, Nielsen H., Pedersen O., and Schwartz S. Effects of Diet on the Cellular Insulin Binding and the Insulin Sensitivity in Young Healthy Subjects. Diabetes. 1978;15:289_296 .

 46 Sucrose Induces Diabetes in Cat. Federal Protocol. 1974;6(97). diabetes

 47 Reiser, S., et al. Effects of Sugars on Indices on Glucose Tolerance in Humans. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1986;43:151-159.

 48 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. Aug 2000

 49 Hodges, R., and Rebello, T. Carbohydrates and Blood Pressure. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1983:98:838_841.

 50 Behar, D., et al. Sugar Challenge Testing with Children Considered Behaviorally Sugar Reactive. Nutritional Behavior. 1984;1:277_288.

 51 Furth, A. and Harding, J. Why Sugar Is Bad For You. New Scientist. Sep 23, 1989;44.

 52 Simmons, J. Is The Sand of Time Sugar? LONGEVITY. June 1990:00:00 49_53.

 53 Appleton, N. New York: LICK THE SUGAR HABIT. Avery Penguin Putnam:1988. allergies

 54 Cleave, T. The Saccharine Disease: (New Canaan Ct: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1974).131.

 55 Ibid. 132

 56 Pamplona, R., et al. Mechanisms of Glycation in Atherogenesis. Medical Hypotheses . 1990:00:00 174_181.

 57 Vaccaro O., Ruth, K. J. and Stamler J. Relationship of Postload Plasma Glucose to Mortality with 19 yr Follow up. Diabetes Care. Oct 15,1992;10:328_334. Tominaga, M., et al, Impaired Glucose Tolerance Is a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease, but Not Fasting Glucose. Diabetes Care. 1999:2(6):920-924.

 58 Lee, A. T. and Cerami, A. Modifications of Proteins and Nucleic Acids by Reducing Sugars: Possible Role in Aging. Handbook of the Biology of Aging. (New York: Academic Press, 1990.).

 59 Monnier, V. M. Nonenzymatic Glycosylation, the Maillard Reaction and the Aging Process. Journal of Gerontology 1990:45(4):105_110.

 60 Cerami, A., Vlassara, H., and Brownlee, M. Glucose and Aging. Scientific American. May 1987:00:00 90

 61 Dyer, D. G., et al. Accumulation of Maillard Reaction Products in Skin Collagen in Diabetes and Aging. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 1993:93(6):421_22.

 62 Veromann, S.et al.”Dietary Sugar and Salt Represent Real Risk Factors for Cataract Development.” Ophthalmologica. 2003 Jul-Aug;217(4):302-307.

 63 Goulart, F. S. Are You Sugar Smart? American Fitness. March_April 1991:00:00 34_38. Milwakuee, WI

 64 Monnier, V. M. Nonenzymatic Glycosylation, the Maillard Reaction and the Aging Process. Journal of Gerontology. 1990:45(4):105_110.

 65 Ceriello, A. Oxidative Stress and Glycemic Regulation. Metabolism. Feb 2000;49(2 Suppl 1):27-29.

 66 Appleton, Nancy. New York; Lick the Sugar Habit. Avery Penguin Putnam, 1988 enzymes

 67 Hellenbrand, W. Diet and Parkinson’s Disease. A Possible Role for the Past Intake of Specific Nutrients. Results from a Self-administered Food-frequency Questionnaire in a Case-control Study. Neurology. Sep 1996;47(3):644-650.

 68 Goulart, F. S. Are You Sugar Smart? American Fitness. March_April 1991:00:00 34_38.

 69 Ibid.

 70 Yudkin, J., Kang, S. and Bruckdorfer, K. Effects of High Dietary Sugar. British Journal of Medicine. Nov 22, 1980;1396.

 71 Blacklock, N. J., Sucrose and Idiopathic Renal Stone. Nutrition and Health. 1987;5(1-2):9- Curhan, G., et al. Beverage Use and Risk for Kidney Stones in Women. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1998:28:534-340.

 72 Goulart, F. S. Are You Sugar Smart? American Fitness. March_April 1991:00:00 34_38. Milwakuee, WI,:

 73 Ibid. fluid retention

 74 Ibid. bowel movement

 75 Ibid. compromise the lining of the capillaries

 76 Nash, J. Health Contenders. Essence. Jan 1992; 23:00 79_81.

 77 Grand, E. Food Allergies and Migraine.Lancet. 1979:1:955_959.

 78 Schauss, A. Diet, Crime and Delinquency. (Berkley Ca; Parker House, 1981.)

 79 Molteni, R, et al. A High-fat, Refined Sugar Diet Reduces Hippocampal Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor, Neuronal Plasticity, and Learning. NeuroScience. 2002;112(4):803-814.

 80 Christensen, L. The Role of Caffeine and Sugar in Depression. Nutrition Report. Mar 1991;9(3):17-24.

 81 Ibid,44

 82 Yudkin, J. Sweet and Dangerous.(New York:Bantam Books,1974) 129

 83 Frey, J. Is There Sugar in the Alzheimer’s Disease? Annales De Biologie Clinique. 2001; 59 (3):253-257.

 84 Yudkin, J. Metabolic Changes Induced by Sugar in Relation to Coronary Heart Disease and Diabetes. Nutrition and Health. 1987;5(1-2):5-8.

 85 Yudkin, J and Eisa, O. Dietary Sucrose and Oestradiol Concentration in Young Men. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 1988:32(2):53-55.

 86 The Edell Health Letter. Sept 1991;7:1.

 87 Gardner, L. and Reiser, S. Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate on Fasting Levels of Human Growth Hormone and Cortisol. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. 1982;169:36_40.

 88 Journal of Advanced Medicine. 1994;7(1):51-58.

 89 Ceriello, A. Oxidative Stress and Glycemic Regulation. Metabolism. Feb 2000;49(2 Suppl 1):27-29.

 90 Postgraduate Medicine.Sept 1969:45:602-07.

 91 Lenders, C. M. Gestational Age and Infant Size at Birth Are Associated with Dietary Intake among Pregnant Adolescents. Journal of Nutrition. Jun 1997;1113- 1117

 92 Ibid.

 93 Sugar, White Flour Withdrawal Produces Chemical Response. The Addiction Letter. Jul 1992:04:00 Colantuoni, C., et al. Evidence That Intermittent, Excessive Sugar Intake Causes Endogenous Opioid Dependence. Obes Res. Jun 2002 ;10(6):478-488. Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Society, Toronto, June 17, 2001 http://www.mercola.com/2001/jun/30/sugar.htm

 94 Ibid.

 95 Sunehag, A. L., et al. Gluconeogenesis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition Diabetes. 1999 ;48 7991_800.

 96 Christensen L., et al. Impact of A Dietary Change on Emotional Distress. Journal of Abnormal Psychology.1985;94(4):565_79.

 97 Nutrition Health Review. Fall 85 changes sugar into fat faster than fat

 98 Ludwig, D. S., et al. High Glycemic Index Foods, Overeating and Obesity. Pediatrics. March 1999;103(3):26-32.

 99 Pediatrics Research. 1995;38(4):539-542. Berdonces, J. L. Attention Deficit and Infantile Hyperactivity. Rev Enferm. Jan 2001;4(1)11-4

 100 Blacklock, N. J. Sucrose and Idiopathic Renal Stone. Nutrition Health. 1987;5(1 & 2):9-

 101 Lechin, F., et al. Effects of an Oral Glucose Load on Plasma Neurotransmitters in Humans. Neurophychobiology. 1992;26(1-2):4-11.

 102 Fields, M. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Aug 1998;17(4):317_321.

 103 Arieff, A. I. Veterans Administration Medical Center in San Francisco. San Jose Mercury; June 12/86. IVs of sugar water can cut off oxygen to the brain.

 104 Sandler, Benjamin P. Diet Prevents Polio. Milwakuee, WI,:The Lee Foundation for for Nutritional Research, 1951

 105 Murphy, Patricia. The Role of Sugar in Epileptic Seizures. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. May, 2001 Murphy Is Editor of Epilepsy Wellness Newsletter, 1462 West 5th Ave., Eugene, Oregon 97402

 106 Stern, N. & Tuck, M. Pathogenesis of Hypertension in Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Mellitus, a Fundamental and Clinical Test. 2nd Edition, (PhiladelphiA; A:Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2000)943-957.

 107 Christansen, D. Critical Care: Sugar Limit Saves Lives. Science News. June 30, 2001; 159:404.

 108 Donnini, D. et al. Glucose May Induce Cell Death through a Free Radical-mediated Mechanism.Biochem Biohhys Res Commun. Feb 15, 1996:219(2):412-417.

 109 Schoenthaler, S. The Los Angeles Probation Department Diet-Behavior Program: Am Empirical Analysis of Six Institutional Settings. Int J Biosocial Res 5(2):88-89.

 110 Gluconeogenesis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants Receiving Total Parenteral Nutrition. Diabetes. 1999 Apr;48(4):791-800.

 111 Glinsmann, W., et al. Evaluation of Health Aspects of Sugar Contained in Carbohydrate Sweeteners.” FDA Report of Sugars Task Force -1986 39 123 Yudkin, J. and Eisa, O. Dietary Sucrose and Oestradiol Concentration in Young Men. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism. 1988;32(2):53-5.

  

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The Dangers of Sugar

January 27, 2009 at 8:30 pm (food & health)
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The Dangers of Sugar
by Paulette Millis

Did you know that white sugar is physically addictive? It is much like a drug and “the difference between sugar addiction and narcotic addiction is largely one of degree,” writes William Duffy in his book, Sugar Blues.

Sugar is qualified as an addictive substance by the following two responses: 1) Eating even a small amount of sugar, for example, one candy or one bit of cake, creates such a desire in some people that they can’t stop; 2) When one quits sugar cold turkey, withdrawal symptoms appear, for example, strong cravings, depression, fatigue, mood swings, and possibly headaches.

Humans have demonstrated a strong desire for sweets since the beginning of time. As early as 327 BC raw sugar was used in India. The Spaniards brought it to America at the turn of the 16th century. Refining began 600 years ago. Scientific studies on both newborns and adults suggests that the craving for sweets is an instinctive rather than learned response, although we know sugar is an acquired taste.

Sugar is a carbohydrate, and we often think of it only as the white or brown stuff, but sugar is also part of many other foodstuffs such as lactose in milk, maltose in grain, fructose in fruit, sucrose (refined sugar), and more. The simple refined carbohydrate, crystalline table sugar, is first extracted from sugar cane with the bulk and fibre being left behind. It is then purified, filtered, concentrated, and boiled down to sugar crystals produced out of the syrup. Substances such as sulfur dioxide, milk of lime, carbon dioxide, charcoal from charred beef bones, and calcium carbonate are used in this industrial refining process as purifying agents. Brown sugar is simple white sugar with a bit of molasses added back in, or coloured with caramel.

Excessive sugar consumption is believed to be involved in many common health problems: hypoglycemia, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity, indigestion, myopia, seborrheic dermatitis, gout, hyperactivity, lack of concentration, depression, anxiety, and more. Sugar is rapidly converted in the blood to fat (triglycerides), which increase obesity, risk of heart disease, and diabetes. Sugar greatly increases the risk of dental decay. It is devoid of vitamins, minerals, or fibre; it is an empty food. The lack of fibre in sugar causes a tendency to overeat.

Saying “Sugar is bad for you!” is an understatement. The dangers of eating too much refined sugar were lost in the 1980s amidst the outcries that all fat was bad. Many today still blame fat for their health problems instead of sugar. The question is: With all of this “fat” avoidance have disease states lessened? The answer is, “NO!” In fact, the opposite is true. Even though the media portrays fat as the main culprit in the development of several diseases (e.g., heart disease), sugar appears to be the real villain. W. D. Ringsdorf, DMD, MS, co-author of Psychodietetics, says that sugar raises high blood pressure. Sugar mixed with animal fats leads to atherosclerosis and by increasing the stickiness (viscosity) of the blood, it increases the possibility of blood clots.

SUGAR SUPPRESSES THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Sugar steals the ability of your white blood cells to destroy bacteria. White blood cells are known as “phagocytes” and phagocytic tests show that a couple of teaspoons of sugar can sap their strength by 25 percent. A large helping of pie and ice cream renders your white cells 100 percent helpless. This effect lasts from 4 to 5 hours. Consider a 900 ml serving of processed and packaged orange juice or one 683 ml of cola—either of these will depress the immune system by 50 percent, 30 minutes after ingestion and this will last for 5 hours! Consider if you have sugar at every meal, which many do by eating processed foods alone, that the immune system is constantly ineffectual. This sets us up for anything from colds to cancer! Remember, instead of having that cinnamon bun or doughnut on your morning break and returning to work amidst people who may have a virus, choose raw nuts, a piece of fruit, or home baking made without sugars and white flours!

SUGAR EVERYWHERE!

Some of the processed foods that we wouldn’t expect to contain added sugar and which do are: hamburgers—to reduce shrinkage and add juiciness, breading in deep fried foods, and on frozen fish to give it a sheen. Of course, most people know that sugar is added to processed cereals, ketchup, canned fruit and veggies, etc.

 ALIASES OF SUGAR

Added sugars in processed foods can be found under the following names:
Sugar (sucrose) – the refined crystallized sugar; a combination of glucose and fructose.
Dextrose (glucose) – a simple sugar made of only one molecule.
Lactose – a simple sugar from milk.
Maltose – a simple sugar made from starch, usually grains.
Maltodextrin – a manufactured sugar from maltose and dextrose.
Brown sugar – the refined sugar coated with molasses or coloured with caramel.
Raw sugar – a less refined sugar with a small amount of molasses remaining.
Fructose – a simple sugar refined from fruit.
Corn syrup – a manufactured syrup of corn starch, containing varying proportions of glucose, maltose, and dextrose. (see note below).
High-fructose corn syrup – a highly concentrated syrup of predominantly fructose.
White grape juice – a highly purified fructose solution; virtually no other nutrients are present.

Be aware that cornstarch, treated by heat or enzymes to make dextrose, maltose, corn syrup, corn sugar, and crystalline dextrose, is used to supplement sucrose in processed foods in order to: bring costs down, add colour and flavour, and retain bright colours in preserves, ketchup, and cured meat. This widespread use may be a cause of the increased allergies to corn.

Typically, when ingredients are listed on a product, they must be listed from largest amount down to smallest amount found in that product. Do not be fooled into thinking there is very little sugar in an item if it is not listed near the beginning. Often you will find three or four of the above aliases in the ingredient listing, meaning that in the end the product may be mostly sugar!

TIPS TO CUT DOWN ON SUGAR INTAKE

1.       Eat whole unprocessed foods with nothing added, e.g., whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables.

2.       Read all labels! Become familiar with the different names for sugar and make the decision to leave those with sugars on the shelf. Beware of those “fat-free” foods, that may be laden with sugar.

3.       Eliminate soft drinks, sugared fruit juices, and baked goods made with sugar.

4.       Replace refined sugars with brown rice syrup, stevia, or maple syrup. (See WHOLifE Journal, March/April 2004 for an article on natural sweeteners.)

5.       Do NOT use sugar substitutes, especially aspartame, or aspartame sweetened foods. Aspartame breaks down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol, which degrades into formaldehyde—a well-known toxin. The Medical World News has already reported in 1978 that the methanol content of aspartame was 1000 times greater than most foods under FDA control. (Alive Magazine, March 2000.) For more information about aspartame, a diabetic specialist and world expert on aspartame poisoning, Dr H J Roberts, has written a book called, “Defense Against Alzheimer’s Disease.” He and others have stated there are 167 documented side affects to aspartame, from “stimulating neurons of the brain to death, causing brain damage of various degrees,” to “consuming aspartame at the time of conception can cause birth defects,” and many more too numerous to mention here.

6.       Buy cookbooks without sugar and/or convert your favourite recipes using the natural sweeteners such as fruit purees, brown rice syrup, stevia, maple syrup, fruit juice, etc.

7.       Be sparing with all concentrated sugars, natural or not.

8.       Let desserts be special, not everyday fare. Serve desserts alone, away from protein and fat meals. Fruit desserts are best.

9.       Use unsweetened juice; make you own fresh squeezed rather than buying processed and sweetened juices.

10.    If you must use canned fruit, choose no sugar added or canned in their own juices.

11.    Do NOT use sweets as a reward!

12.    Snack on whole foods like nuts and seeds, fruits, or veggies and dip rather than candy and other sweets.

13.    Eliminate processed cereals entirely, and make whole or cracked grain cereals, or make granola using fruits as a sweetener. Eliminate refined sugar on cereals and fruits and beverages; use natural sweeteners if necessary.

14.    Do not put sugar on the table. Use raisins, dates, etc.

15.    To help reduce cravings, supplement your diet with a good quality high potency multi-vitamin and mineral, 2–3 grams of vitamin C, an anti-oxidant formula, and essential fatty acids like flax or fish oil. Dr. Hyla Cass suggests placing the powder from a 500 gram capsule of L-glutamine under the tongue to reduce cravings. (Alive Magazine, November 2003.)

16.    The best way to get sugar out of the diet? DO NOT HAVE IT IN THE HOUSE!

 

 

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