Sugar and phosphate are both important biological molecules and are also components of diet. In the typical American diet, you get plenty of both in a variety of foods and don't need to supplement with either. Cells require both sugar and phosphate to maintain normal biological function.
Sugar
Most people think of table sugar -- a chemical called sucrose -- upon hearing the word "sugar." However, there are many kinds of sugars. Aside from the familiar table sugar, there's lactose in milk and fructose in fruit, both of which are types of sugar. There are also sugars in the body, including the ribose and deoxyribose in RNA and DNA, which stand for ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid, respectively. These are both types of genetic material.
Sugar in the Diet
You need sugar in your diet and in your body to maintain normal function. Sugar is a rich source of energy, and your cells burn it for fuel. They also use it to make glycogen, which is stored carbohydrate energy, explain Drs. Reginald Garrett and Charles Grisham in their book "Biochemistry." Too much sugar, however, is unhealthy for your teeth and can lead to cavities. Your cells can also convert excess sugar into body fat, meaning that a diet high in added sugars can lead to weight problems.
Phosphate
Phosphate is an ion -- a charged particle -- with the chemical formula PO4. It's important to normal cellular function, both as a component of biomolecules and as a participant in a variety of chemical reactions. DNA and RNA both have phosphates as part of their structures. Phosphate also forms part of the buffer system inside cells, which helps a cell maintain the appropriate acidity level.
Phosphate in the Diet
According to Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute, phosphates are easy to get in food because they're so prevalent in living organisms. It's rare to have a phosphate deficiency, provided you're eating enough food. While some nutritionists worry that too many phosphates in the diet -- in sodas, for instance -- might decrease bone health, there's no evidence that yet suggests adverse effects on bones by high phosphate intake. Regardless, phosphate-rich sodas aren't a healthy component of diet, and you should consume them in moderation.
References
- "Biochemistry"; Reginald Garrett, Ph.D. and Charles Grisham, Ph.D.; 2007
- Linus Pauling Institute: Phosphates
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