Sugar!!!!!

Are you a sugar addict?  Though it sounds funny and innocent, it’s not.  Well, drug and alcohol and nicotine, even caffeine, addictions are far worse, right?  I’d say, no. Why? Because sugar isn’t taken seriously.  The foods Americans eat are loaded with sugar, and we are daily eating dangerous quantities that have drug-like effects.  Sugar can be biochemically addictive; so it’s not just an emotional bond.  Some people are sugar sensitive, making them more inclined to become addicted.  It’s just like how some people are already wired to have a potential alcohol addition before they’ve even had their first drink.

Why is sugar not taken seriously? Well, I would say because sugar, or--scientifically speaking--glucose, a form of sugar, is the fuel for our bodies.  It provides energy to cells which allows them to do the task they are specialized for and also helps with cell growth.  But, people don’t realize that a nutrient, something we need every day, could cause imbalances or lead to serious problems.  There are many nutrients that we need, but if we take them in excess they become toxic.
 
The thing is our bodies plan for deficiencies and not abundances when it comes to sugar.  They don’t know about pudding-stuffed doughnuts, hot fudge and brownie sundaes, and the endless range of flavors in soft drinks.  
 
When we eat excessive sugar, say a king size Snickers, glucose is dumped quickly into our bloodstream almost at the speed as if we injected it directly.  This causes our blood sugar to go up.  At this time, you feel the boost, the little pick-me-up, that sugar gives.  However, our bodies will immediately want to lower the high blood sugar.  Our pancreas begins making insulin.  Insulin is like the key that allows glucose to enter cells.  It is a hormone that binds to glucose and allows it to enter a cell’s membrane.  If your body actually needed the glucose, then it would use it for energy, but most of the time, such a spike is not needed and is stored.  So, by releasing insulin into our bodies, it allows our cells to absorb the glucose out of our bloodstream and therefore lowering our sugar level.  However, insulin works so well that it lowers our blood sugar below the normal level.  Usually, glucose is the only fuel used by the brain.  Brain power requires a lot of energy and neurons can’t store glucose so they depend on a steady supply.  Low blood sugar causes tiredness, the inability to think clearly, and depression.  It also makes you hungry.  People who don’t realize what’s going on are tempted to reach for another candy bar, the food that caused the imbalance, thinking it’ll replenish the energy they feel they somehow lost.

Here’s a list of 146 reasons why too much sugar is ruining your health. 146!!  Though many of them are related to each other, it was mind blowing to me all the things that sugar affects.  It affects your daily vital functions, long-term functions, and increases risk of countless deadly diseases.

Some of the “facts” might be misleading.  For instance, #92 says that sugar feeds cancer.  This is true, but sugar feeds all cells in the human body.  Sugar does not feed cancer cells more than other cells in the body. Whether we eat excessive amounts of sugar or not, there will always be sugar in our bodies because it is our energy.  However, when cells are well fed, they grow.  If we eat sugar that our healthy cells don’t even need, patients with cancer could be causing their cancer cells to grow.  

         
I found it interesting when I found that sugar negatively effects our immune system.  I get colds approximately three to four times a year.  I get a nasty sore throat every time and I never realized that eating sugary foods could prevent my body from fighting the infection.  It has been studied that eating or drinking just 8 teaspoons of sugar, which is like two cans of pop (or soda), can diminish our white blood cells ability to fight germs by forty percent starting thirty minutes after consumption and lasting for about five hours.

How much sugar do our bodies need daily?

None.  Our bodies do not need any added sugar.  Carbs, proteins, and fat can be converted to glucose which is adequate enough.  Our bodies are designed to get glucose from natural foods such as fruits vegetables, grains and even fat because they take longer to digest and you avoid the blood sugar fluctuations.  When we need energy, our metabolism makes glucose gradually from those raw materials.  People don’t realize how very little sugar our bodies need.  People also don’t realize how much sugar they are consuming in their diet, especially in drinks.  The only time it is good to eat refined table sugar in your food is after hardcore exercising like marathon running or if you’re very weak from vomiting or days of lack of nourishment.

How do I change my diet?

Now you’re probably thinking, I’m doing horrible things to my body; how can I possibly change my habits?

Only eat naturally occurring sugar like the sugar found in fruit. This is much healthier than the processed sugar in candy, cake, and other desserts.

Avoid saturated sugary drinks, like soda and fruit drinks. It is fine to drink 100% fruit juice, but only in moderation. Stick to serving size.

Limit your splurges of dessert, to two times a week.  Moderation!!

Eat whole, healthy, unprocessed food.