5 NOT-SO-SWEET MYTHS ABOUT SUGAR
The truth: sugar does not make you overweight
This is actually true. It is overeating and not the sugar that’s making you fat. A body’s weight depends on the amount of calories consumed rather than the sugar intake. Therefore, if you impart excess energy to your body, whether it is in the form of surplus proteins, carbs or fats, your chances of putting on excess weight will obviously increase. You can eat everything including sugary foods, as long as you maintain a firm balance.
The truth: sugar is bad only if eat too much, and don’t exercise
Your body can easily absorb simple sugars, provided you work out frequently and aren’t overweight. If you do not exercise regularly, and belong to the heavier side, you should consider staying away from sugary foods. It’s not that you will catch diabetes if you occasionally eat a little more sugar than required. It is important to remember that excess of anything is not good, as it can harm your health. The body generally stores excess sugar in the form of fat for later usage.
An adult can consume anything between 5-8 teaspoons of sugar every day. It basically boils down to your body type and health objectives.
The truth: It is not addictive
It’s not a drug, after all. All it does is give you some energy along with a feel-good sensation. There is no evidence to support that sugar is addictive, as long as you don’t consume more than the prescribed amount. It is 6 teaspoons for females, and 8 teaspoons for males.
The truth: all sugars are same and differ only in name
As far as the body is concerned, whether white sugar, brown sugar, or honey, it’s all sugar that’s going to break down into glucose. They are all different forms of carbohydrates that energize the body. And while each kind of sugar has its own set of advantages and drawbacks, substituting one for the other will lend no benefit. However, stevia is a form of naturally-occurring zero-calorie sugar that you can adopt in your everyday diet.
The truth: eating Sugar will not lead to diabetes
Diabetes is primarily an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the cells responsible for producing insulin in the pancreas are damaged. This is generally a result of some malfunctioning in the body’s immune system. Diabetes has no relation to your sugar intake. and you are likely to develop the disease if you are overweight or obese. That’s because additional fat which accumulates in the body can cause insulin resistance. Therefore, if you weigh above what is deemed as normal, eating sugars can indirectly lead to type-2 diabetes. The bottom line is if you eat a sugary and calorie-dense diet with little or no physical workout, you will be vulnerable to numerous ailments, including diabetes and obesity.
The truth: sugar doesn’t give you cavities
Contrary to popular belief, sugar is not the root cause behind tooth cavities. Cavities occur due to acidic foods and drinks that erode the enamel in the teeth. The main reason why sugar is cast in such a negative light is due to its omnipresent nature in all unhealthy yet tasty foods. It is not the sugar that’s causing the cavities, but the unmitigated mish-mash of various food types in the mouth.
The last word
In conclusion, it is necessary to remind yourself that excess of anything is bad for the body. Therefore, having too much sugar will definitely invite a number of health complications. But glucose is necessary for the body, as it provides vital energy. It is nearly impossible as well as impractical to eliminate sugar from your diet, as almost everything from potatoes to fruits to starchy foods contain a high glycemic index. Rest assured, all you need is to restrict your sugar consumption to recommended levels and all should be fine.
