1. Sugar Means Empty Calories
With the average American consuming 2 to 3 lbs. of sugar a week, intake has increased from 26 to 135 lbs. per person in the last 20 years. Containing no fiber, minerals, protein, fats or enzymes, sugar is the largest sources of daily carbohydrate consumption and the primary cause of increased body weight and overeating.
2. Sugar Compromises Important Nutrients
The body borrows nutrients from healthy cells to metabolize incomplete foods such as sugar, making it harder for the body to absorb important vitamins and minerals necessary for health. With too much sugar in the system, white blood must fight harder to enable the immune system to fight infection. White blood cells also need vitamin C to combat bacteria. Sugar inhibits the absorption of vitamin C. Calcium is also compromised when sugar is in excess. Bones often become weak due to calcium having to work overtime. Sugar also thickens the blood, blocking flow to the gums, causing disease and weakening teeth. When glucose levels increase quickly, the pancreas secretes insulin to drop these levels. This inhibits the release of growth hormones while depressing the immune system. Because insulin promotes fat storage, one is in danger of rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels leading to cardiovascular disease. Other complications associated with sugar intake are asthma, mood swings, diabetes, heart disease, gallstones, hypertension and arthritis.
3. Processed Foods are Full of Sugar
Because sugar take robs the body's store of nutrients, the metabolism of cholesterol and fatty acids is interrupted. Processed foods such as pasteurized juices, bread, cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce and microwave meals contain simple sugars such as sucrose, dextrose and high fructose corn syrup, all of which serve to reduce the efficient function of vitamins and minerals. According to the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetic Association, sugar is one of the three major causes of degenerative disease. Read the labels on foods before you buy them. By buying organic and unprocessed foods, you stand a much better chance for optimum health.
4. Honey is not Always Your Friend
Honey is considered a refined sugar due to high levels of fructose, glucose and sucrose. Honey bears are one of the only animals that suffer from tooth decay! Honey also has the highest caloric content of all sugars, with 65 calories per tablespoon compared to 48 found in ordinary table sugar. In addition, many pesticides used on crops and flowers are found in honey. Only buy raw, unheated honey and use it in limited quantities.
5. There is a Healthy Alternative
In spite of this news, sweet-toothers have no need for despair. Stevia easily replaces sugar and honey, is 200 times as sweet, contains no calories, is non carcinogenic and actually helps to regulate blood sugar. Introduced in Europe by the Spanish conquistadors during the 16th century, stevia has been used for hundreds of years in Brazil and is easily found in most health food stores.
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