So a few of you have wanted me to post something about sugar and what it does to our bodies (I know a few chocoholics out there that are wanting to kick their habit). I know once reading this, you will still probably reach for the cookie jar or the chocolate box over Christmas time, but at least you will be making a more educated decision of what you are putting into your body (me included).
I don't think there is any controversy about the fact that sugar is not good for you. But do you know WHY sugar is bad for you?
Most of us have seen white granulated sugar all of our lives, but what makes it bad for us? Made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, sugar (or sucrose) is a carbohydrate. Sucrose is made up of two simpler sugars, fructose and glucose.
Sucrose is also naturally in plants, including fruit. There IS a difference between naturally occurring sucrose in plants and the sucrose found in granulated sugar or the high fructose corn syrup often used to sweeten processed foods.
Both granulated sugar and high fructose corn syrup go through a refining process...they are called "empty calories" because they offer no nutritional value. In addition, they are addictive and rob your body of energy and health.
Energy created from sugar ingested into the body is one of the good ones. Humans need energy to function and the best sugars for this are ones listed on the glycemic index with a low rating. These sugars are let into the blood stream at a slower absorption rate which is healthy for the human body.
The bad and ugly news associated with sugars is that most are processed into all kinds of foods humans eat. These sugars often carry a high glycemic index rating which means that the sugars are absorbed into the bloodstream faster. This causes the pancreas (the organ which maintains sugar levels in the body) to give off insulin. Insulin is used to drop the blood-sugar levels in the body. Not only does this fluctuation in blood-sugar levels put stress on the human body but it also can lead to diabetes, increased chance of coronary disease and also interfere with the absorption of calcium and magnesium into the human body.
Here some of the dangers of consuming sugar:
1. Feeds candida
2. Promotes wrinkling and aging skin
3. Makes your blood acidic
4. Can lead to osteoporosis
5. Rots your teeth
6. Raises your blood sugar level
7. Contributes to obesity
8. Is addictive (almost as much as drugs)
9. Can create the urge to binge
10. Provides 'empty calories' with no nutritional value
11. Contributes to diabetes
12. Robs your body of minerals
13. Robs you of energy
14. Contributes to heart problems
15. Can cause cancer
16. Contributes to ulcers
17. Can cause gallstones
18. Contributes to adrenal fatigue
19. Can suppress your immune system18
20. Raises the level of neurotransmitters called serotonin19
21. Weakens eyesight
22. Sugar can cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels).
23. Can cause aging
24. Can contribute to eczema
25. Can cause arthritis
So, after reading the affects it can have on your health and your well being, how much sugar will you be having today?
Why not cut sugar out for a week and see the benefits it has on your alertness, your digestion, your skin and your cravings. Trust me, its not easy. The first couple of days you will have withdrawals, possible headaches and irritability, but once you have killed the cravings, your body will thank you.
To read more about cutting out sugar visit this blog: http://myyearwithout.blogspot.com/2008/10/how-to-cut-out-sugar-and-why.html
Or click here to read the Article- Sugar: The sweetest Poison.
peace & love
pee-jay
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