The Low-Down on Sugar

The Low Down on SugarSugar gets a bad rap. While it’s not something you should consume in large doses, it’s not as bad as you may think.  There is a lot of misinformation out there, so let’s take a quick look at some facts about sugar.

The Low-down: 

Sugar is safe. It is 100% natural.

Sugar has just 15 calories per teaspoon.

Sugar does not cause chronic disease, including obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hyperactivy, or hypoglycemia.

Sugar is a significant carbohydrate, the body’s primary energy source.

Sugar’s unique cooking properties contribute significantly to foods you find in the store or make at home.

Sugar makes food and drinks taste good. By making nutritious foods more palatable, sugar is an essential part of a balanced diet.

Hype, Myths and Misinformation

Obesity is caused by excess calories. If you were to look for a culprit in the battle against the bulge, look no further than lack of exercise and excessive caloric intake.

Diabetes is not caused by consuming sugar, other nutritive sweeteners or carbohydrates. Both types of diabetes, I and II, are marked by the body’s inability to turn glucose into energy. Type I is unable to produce insulin (a hormone generated by the pancreas).

The body requires insulin to turn blood glucose into energy. Type II diabetes in an adult or teenager begins when the body is unable to properly use the insulin it produces. If this goes untreated, they are unable to use their insulin and become more insensitive to the insulin that is generated. They require supplemental insulin like type I diabetics.

Excess glucose in the blood and tissues eventually passes through the kidneys and exits the body through urine. Over time blood vessels and the nervous systems are injured by this condition. Heart disease, vision difficulties, loss of feeling in the extremities, particularly the feet, and or kidney disease often result. It is important to take the medication prescribed by your doctor, follow a balanced diet and increase physical activities in order to manage both types of diabetes.

“The ADA (American Diabetes Association) advises diabetics that they may include sugar in their eating plan as long as they count it as part of their daily carbohydrate allowance.”




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