Let’s get to the truth about SUGAR. Is it really white death – or necessary fuel for our bodies? Dr. David Levitsky is a professor of nutritional sciences at Cornell University. He says that sugar - broken down into glucose form - is actually a key factor in fueling our bodies and our brains. The health threat comes when people eat too much of it, because it tastes good. Here are a few facts about sugar, courtesy of Rodale Publications.
- Too much sugar stresses your system. Doctors use a glucose-tolerance test to diagnose diabetes. For the test, you consume 75 grams of glucose to see how well your system processes sugar. It’s basically a stress test, since downing that kind of sugar load is not something you should normally do. Yet, a 24-ounce soda usually contains more sugar than that. In fact, experts say that because of the way people eat these days, unintentional stress-tests probably happen all the time! This severe high blood sugar can cause blurred vision, extreme thirst and a constant urge to urinate. So, go easy on the soft drinks and processed foods.
- Sugar fact #2: Simply avoiding sugary foods won’t save you from obesity. Dr. Lillian Lein is the medical director of inpatient diabetes management at Duke University Medical Center. She says that obesity is about consuming too many calories. We can scold food manufacturers because they load foods with salt and sugar, but it all comes down to how much we shove down our throats. Dr. Lein says a good indicator is weight. If yours is under control, then your normal calorie intake is reasonable. If it’s not – you need to cut back.
- Fewer blood-sugar spikes help you live longer. If you enjoy plenty of food and booze, you may be shortening your life even if your weight is OK. Repeated blood-sugar spikes, caused by things like big meals and alcohol, stress out your organs - which takes a toll on your overall health. Levitsky says what matters is moderation. Go easy on soft drinks, packaged foods, sports drinks, pasta, pancakes, potatoes and other high-carb and sugary foods. The less processed sugar you put in your body, the longer it’ll function properly.
