Sugar is eight times as addictive as cocaine. A study by Dr. Serge H Ahmed published this statistic in 2009 in the journal of Food and Addiction. Some people say the can gain weight just by looking at sweets. There may be truth to this as the body pumps out insulin in response to even the thought of something sweet. Brain imaging studies in humans show that eating sweetened processed foods lights up the brain like heroin. If you show signs of withdrawal when cutting back on sugar, you may be addicted.
Sugar has many names: glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose, lactose, and maltose.
Sugar can be hidden in many foods: cakes, cookies, doughnuts, candy, chocolate, soda, fruit juice, bottled teas, vitamin water, breads, bagels, pasta, rice, crackers, muffins, alcohol, popcorn, tortilla chips, potato chips, french fries, tomato sauce, barbecue sauce, teriyaki sauce, fat-free salad dressings, commercial yogurt, dried fruit, canned fruit, granola bars, and many fast food items.
Are we consuming too much sugar? The average American will eat 100 lbs per year, or 1/4 lb per day, which equals 26 teaspoons of sugar per day. Now, how much should we consume? We should have 5-6 teaspoons total per day (23-25 grams) .
Sugar feeds chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity. Dr. Mark Hyman, termed “Diabesity” to describe the continuum from optimal blood sugar balance toward insulin resistance and full-blown diabetes. The primary driver of metabolic dysfunction is insulin resistance related to excess consumption of sugar and processed foods. Sugar compromises immune function and depletes the body of nutrients. It robs the body of B-complex vitamins and can destroy your beneficial gut bacteria. Sugar destabilizes blood sugar levels and can often trigger emotion imbalance, depression and mood disorders.
Some chronic diseases that sugar plays a major role in: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, high cholesterol, heart disease, gluten intolerance, IBS, candida, attention disorders, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, liver disease and acid reflux.
Let’s keep in mind the liver can only store about 60-90 grams of sugar. This is equivalent to 2 cups of cooked pasta or 3 candy bars, or 1 can of Coke. When you eat more carbs/sugars than needed, the surge of insulin tells your body not to release any stored fat. That makes it impossible to use your own stored body fat for energy. So the excess carbohydrates in your diet not only make you fact, but make sure you stay fat.
Be mindful of how much sugar you are consuming on a daily basis. Do your research, read food labels, and you will enjoy the benefits of healthy long life.
Resources: www.sugrscience.org, and “The Blood Sugar Solution” by Dr. Mark Hyman