Some Basics

So, you may be asking yourself, "What is the big deal with sugar?"  Here is a quick review of the problems with sugar as I understand them.  This information is what has remained in my brain after reading the books listed in the "Related Books" section of this blog's right side-bar.  My favorite source is David Gillespie's' book, "Big Fat Lies."

• Basic white sugar is a combination of two molecules:  sucrose and fructose.  Sucrose is broken down by the body into glucose which is the basic substance that all the bodies cells use for energy.  Fructose, however, is not properly used or recognized by our bodies.  Fructose that is eaten (when not eaten as fresh fruit) is sent to the liver where it is converted to fatty acids or uric acid.  The fatty acids enter the blood stream, reek havoc on our cholesterol levels and then are deposited into our fat cells.  Uric acid collects in our joints and can produce painful gout related issues. 
• Prior to the early 1800s, the only time people would ingest fructose was when eating fresh fruit or honey both of which were relatively rare occurrences.  Fruit was generally only eaten in small quantities and while in season.  In addition, when fructose is eaten as part of a fresh piece of fruit, the fructose amount ingested is minimal and is counteracted in the body by the fiber and micronutrients contained in the fresh fruit.  Honey has a lower percentage of fructose than sugar and also contains added health benefits.
• Refined white sugar is a relatively new substance for the human race.  Until white sugar began to be mass produced, mainly from sugar beets and sugar cane, sugar was extremely rare and expensive.  It is only during the last 150 years that sugar has been available to the general public.  This is certainly not a long enough span of time for the human race to adapt and be able to properly process fructose in our systems.
• Fructose contained in sugar (and its various other alias') works as a drug in our brains.  It creates a dopamine response similar to other opium type drugs.  Once a person begins to become addicted, more and more sugar is required to even feel normal.
• In addition, the calories consumed in fructose are not counted in our bodies.  As far as our brains are concerned, only the sucrose half of a sugar molecule is counted towards our calorie intake.  As a result, excessive sugar intake results in continued feelings of hunger and cravings.
• Our bodies naturally crave sweet as this was often how early humans were able to distinguish between something that was a poison (sour or tart in flavor) and something that was safe to eat.  Food companies play on this weakness and add sweet flavors to nearly all foods to help increase sales.  As a result, we are eating more and more calories, only recognizing half the actual calories ingested, adding burden to our livers, fat to our waistlines, and creating a drug response in our brains.
• And just to be clear, it doesn't matter if the sweetener is organic or considered a healthy alternative; if it contains fructose, your body will not be able to process it.  A strong example of this is agave.  Agave has been recently toted as a wonderful, natural sweetener.  The only problem is that agave is 90% fructose.  Your bodies response to agave will be almost twice as bad as eating regular white beet or can sugar.

There is so much more to learn and understand about our amazing bodies.  I am sure this is just the beginning.  I feel strongly about making choices that feel right for you and your family.