|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

What Are Some Myths About Sugar?

Some myths die hard, and sugar's are no exception. Certain long-standing myths about sugar have become so ingrained that even with scientific evidence of otherwise, people persist in holding them. Part of it has to do with perceived correlations and media attention linking sugar to certain conditions. In this way, expectancy can reinforce what is ultimately an impression.

  1. Sugar Makes Children Hyperactive

    • Hyperactivity occurs in some children when there is a sudden surge in blood sugar levels. The rapidity with which this occurs is measured by the glycemic index, where a higher number in a food indicates the relatively quick conversion to blood sugar. Sugar compared with other foods such as baked potatoes only has a moderate GI. Further, a Vanderbilt University study of 23 double-blind experiments have shown that sugar does not affect the behavior or cognitive performance of children. These included normal children, children with supposed sugar sensitivity and those with diagnosed hyperactivity disorders. Neither the subjects nor the experimenters knew which foods or drinks contained sugar or a placebo, and the results did not support a link between sugar and hyperactivity. However, this study does not rule out the possibility that a small subsection of children do react adversely to sugar.

    Some Sugars Are Healthier Than Others

    • The natural and organic brown sugars that abound in health food stores and supermarkets seemingly tout the virtues of a sugar that is not as refined as white granulated sugar. However, absent a few trace nutrients in the molasses found in these "natural" sugars, the so-called healthier versions are ultimately still sugar. They all have been processed to varying degrees but will have the same consequences on the body as regular sugar, whether it comes from a beet or a sugar cane, whether it is turbinado or free of additives.

    Eating Sugar Causes Diabetes

    • Diabetes is caused by the body not producing enough insulin or the cells not being able to respond to insulin. As insulin regulates blood sugar levels, the insufficiency or unusability of insulin results in dangerously high levels of glucose in the blood. Sugar has been singled out for promoting diabetes, but in type 1 diabetes, genetics are primarily responsible for the disease's onset. In type 2 diabetes, a combination of hereditary and lifestyle factors are the main contributors to diabetes. In the latter case, obesity and diets high in calories can increase your risk. But this can be calories of any type, whether sugar or fats or complex carbohydrates. Too much of any type of calorie can be detrimental.

    Sugar Causes Wrinkles

    • In the late 1980s, sugar was linked to causing damage to body proteins that subsequently placed the body at risk for cardiovascular disease and obesity. A more recent study in 2008 found a link between the buildup of these damaged proteins and premature aging in humans, with the interaction of sugars like glucose and parts of protein molecules generating these damaging substances. However, the glucose that can be so potentially harmful does not just come from sources like sugar. It comes from simple sugars, complex carbohydrates and the breakdown of protein and fats. It can also be produced externally during food processing. The body cannot get rid] of glucose in the body because this is a critical source of energy for the brain and other bodily processes. Wiping out sugar will therefore not solve the issue of aging, although eating moderate amounts in conjunction with other healthy habits can better your skin's chance of staying rejuvenated.

Nutrition - Related Articles