The evils of sugar...

[MrMackey]Sugar is bad mmm'k [/MrMackey]

I think she and the other researchers she cited are correct, Sugar is a contributor to major health problems in the Western World particularily... however there is probably no need to be hysterical about sugar, like a lot of things a very small amount of it in the diet is probably OK, but it is when it is consumed in excess that it causes problems.. but that all begs the question, what is a small amount and what is excess?

Sugar is definately a "treat" food that should be consumed infrequently and in small quantities.

Easier said than done I know, I am trying to completely wean myself off sugar, and am doing very well.. but try as I might, I still have one Coffee a day with a sugar in it >_<

I remember a Danish Roommate of mine in the '90's being totally shocked at seeing an "It's a Natural" Advertisment for Sugar on Australian TV.. he said you would NEVER see that in Denmark.. I think a lot of countries have to have a look at how sugar is promoted, and how sugary products are.. we are all facing a crisis of Childhood Obesity.. surely it's time to reconsider ads like this one...
 
I'm not a pro, but that's never stopped me from giving my $0.02. :)

Here's kinda what I think of THAT particular site. I think it bears a strange resemblance to this:
Dihydrogen monoxide:

* is called "hydroxyl acid", the substance is the major component of acid rain.
* contributes to the "greenhouse effect".
* may cause severe burns.
* contributes to the erosion of our natural landscape.
* accelerates corrosion and rusting of many metals.
* may cause electrical failures and decreased effectiveness of automobile brakes.
* has been found in excised tumors of terminal cancer patients.

Despite the danger, dihydrogen monoxide is often used:

* as an industrial solvent and coolant.
* in nuclear power plants.
* in the production of styrofoam.
* as a fire retardant.
* in many forms of cruel animal research.
* in the distribution of pesticides. Even after washing, produce remains contaminated by this chemical.
* as an additive in certain "junk-foods" and other food products.
Click to expand...

Remember that hoax? Because the item talked about ... this deadly "Dihydrogen monoxide" is H20 ... otherwise known as water.

The fact of the matter ANYTHING if abused is bad for you. Anything in excess is bad for you. Sugar in and of itself, used in moderation is not inherently bad. Eating too much sugar is bad and can cause many of the things that website talked about.

I loathe the trend of blaming the foods themselves for issues. It's not the foods. It's how we use them.
 
Stay away from alarmists in this industry.

They'll almost without fail purposefully misinterpret or misapply the research to better their agenda.

Don't drink the dihydrogen monoxide
 
Sugar is important for the electrolyte balance in your body, carbs are just long chains of sugar, that are broken down in your digestive tract. So should you eat no carbs, no sugars, nothing that can be transformed into sugar? No juices? No fruit?
Without sugar we would not be able to live, when your electrolytes get out of control you can die pretty quickly. Ask any diabetic how important a good sugar balance is!

So I think that article is crap, you can do the same with anything as proven with the dihydrogen monoxide example.
Camy
 
I honestly have found that having a bit of sugar helps me lose weight. Sometimes I'll hit a plateau and have a small bowl of ice cream, go to the gym the next day, and suddenly lose 3 pounds. As has been said, everything in moderation.
 
The funniest thing that comes to mind when I hear people (especially scientists and nutritionists) talk about how bad sugar is for you, is how your body converts everything you eat into sugar anyway.

Sugar is fine. Just don't eat spoonfuls of it with each of your meals and you'll be ok.
 
Whilst I agree that sugar is okay in moderation (and keeping in mind OUR idea of moderation is different to our ancestors', whose genes we've inherited), I can also back up most of what that site says, both in my studies and in my personal life. Sugar has been in control of my life since I was a child, leading to obesity, tooth decay, hormonal problems, memory loss, stomach and digestive disorders, dehydration, irritability, depression, learning problems, speaking problems, thyroid dysfunction and throat sensitivity, among other problems, most of them chronic. Since nothing else in my life has been constant but my high daily sugar intake, this makes sense.

It would be worth researching the difference between the effects of refined cane sugar as opposed to natural honey sugar, on the body. Honey has been said to contain substances that protect against the very things sugar is meant to bring about or lead to. Nature's genius perhaps?
 
What is moderation??? Here's the problem I have with being told that everything is good in moderation. What is moderation? Everyone's moderation is different. Yes we do need sugar in our diet, but not fructose. Fructose is not recognised in our system and therefore straight to fat. Because our system doesn't recognise sugar it gives us premission to eat more. Unfortunately our genes haven't changed much since our ancestors who only ate fruit if they found it or when it was ripe. They didn't eat a lot of honey etc. Now days manufacturers put sugar in everything from cereals down to sauces. Any wonder we are all addicted to it. A lot of the health problems such as cardiovasular disease, obesity, diabetes, some cancers and many more only came about when sugar became the norm.


I had a lot of the problems Shinsplint has and I can tell you cutting sugar out of my diet as well as getting back on glorious saturated fats (another no no according to the experts) was the best thing I have done for myself by a mile. It was bloody hard work though!!
 
Congrats Louielou, that definitely takes a lot of willpower to get off the sugar craving. Why do sugar treats have to be colorful as well?!! Can't stop:)
 
I think Sugar is one the "evils" in my diet, and I replaced it with Stevia completely when I cook at home. Stevia is a natural herb, and has been used for a long time. It is very popular in Japan (my wife is from Japan).

I can't help eating sugar here and then when I am eating outside and I succumb to my sugar craving, but it is not about perfection.
 
Camy said:
Sugar is important for the electrolyte balance in your body, carbs are just long chains of sugar, that are broken down in your digestive tract. So should you eat no carbs, no sugars, nothing that can be transformed into sugar? No juices? No fruit?
Without sugar we would not be able to live, when your electrolytes get out of control you can die pretty quickly. Ask any diabetic how important a good sugar balance is!

So I think that article is crap, you can do the same with anything as proven with the dihydrogen monoxide example.
Camy
Click to expand...

quite agree.. Sugar is here and there and it's a party of our bodies.. no sugar ,how?! just eat less , not excess , it's not good for teeth. NECESSARY sugar can make us feel well . WEIGHT loss , sugar is not the key.
 
Camy said:
Sugar is important for the electrolyte balance in your body, carbs are just long chains of sugar, that are broken down in your digestive tract. So should you eat no carbs no sugars, nothing that can be transformed into sugar? No juices? No fruit?
Without sugar we would not be able to live, when your electrolytes get out of control you can die pretty quickly. Ask any diabetic how important a good sugar balance is!

So I think that article is crap, you can do the same with anything as proven with the dihydrogen monoxide example.
Camy
Click to expand...

I think you're right. Without sugar we would not be able to live.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top