Problems With Refined Sugar

Sugary foods are not a part of a healthy diet. What people may not realize is exactly how and why refined sugar is so unhealthy, and just how much it contributes to health issues such as obesity, diabetes, cancer and other diseases and disorders.

History

• Sugar consumption has increased markedly during the past several hundred years. In the 1700s, an individual would typically consume around 4 lbs. of sugar a year. In the 1800s, the figure jumped to 18 lbs., and by the 1900s, consumption jumped to 90 lbs. a year. At the time of publication, 50 percent of Americans consume 1/2 lb. of sugar daily -- or about 180 lbs. a year. Many processed foods contain some form of sugar, including juices, fruit drinks, sodas, beer and other alcoholic beverages, breads, lunch meats, crackers, frozen foods, and other packaged foods. Even baby formulas contain added sugar, equaling as much as one can of soda.

Sugar as a Poison

• Dr. William Coda Martin began a quest in 1957 to determine when food is a food and when it is a poison. In his research, he classified refined sugar as a poison because it contained none of its original life-force properties, such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes, fibers or fats. All of these elements are necessary for the body to properly break down and metabolize the carbohydrates of sugar. Instead, refined sugar is nothing but a pure and refined starch and carbohydrate, which the body does not recognize as a food source.

Effects

• In order for the body to break down refined sugar, it has to borrow vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, enzymes and fiber that are already stored elsewhere, causing an imbalance. Refined sugar causes the blood to become more acidic and -- in an attempt to correct that -- the body pulls calcium from the teeth and bones to try and re-balance the blood chemistry. Refined sugar also causes the liver to function less efficiently; creates fatty acids that are distributed throughout the body and organ systems; and kills the healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. Part of those healthy bacteria are the the various B vitamins that are necessary for proper brain function. This may be why people experience "sugar highs" followed by feeling foggy-headed, irritable and unable to concentrate after eating sugary foods.

Disease

• Refined sugar is a major factor in obesity and chronic diseases. Nancy Appleton, author of the book, "Lick the Sugar Habit," believes that refined sugar is the cause and contributing factor of many of the nation's health issues, including diabetes, hypoglycemia, obesity, mental illness, premature aging, autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis and asthma. She also states that sugar increases the bad cholesterol in the body, while decreasing good cholesterol; causes gallstones; feeds cancer cells; increases adrenaline and anxiety; causes a lack of concentration in children; and contributes to osteoporosis and tooth decay. She lists more than 60 health issues that are linked to refined sugar.

Alternatives

• Breaking the sugar habit can be as difficult as breaking an alcohol or drug addiction. Eliminating refined sugar from your diet can be hard, and many will experience withdrawals. If you are contemplating removing refined sugar from your lifestyle, there are natural substitutes. Avoid artificial sweeteners, as these are primarily made from chemicals that are toxic to the system.

  Some of the natural alternatives that can be used are plant-based stevia, xylitol, raw honey, agave, maple syrup, ad black strap molasses. If you are an avid baker, there are many cookbooks available that address how to bake and cook without the use of refined sugar. Even natural sources of sugar can still be detrimental to your health if consumed in great quantities. Moderation is the key.