“Sugar” – A Poison in your Kitchen

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Knowingly or unknowingly we all are consuming poison every single day! Yes, that’s right and it’s in our very own kitchen – sugar. If you breathe a sigh of relief because you are not a fan of sweets; well, then what about the cups of tea or coffee you are downing every day? Even if that’s not in your list, here is a fact – Your cereals, fruit juices, ketchup, peanut butter, and pasta sauce contain sugar too! Shocking right?

We aren’t kidding – about 75% of the items in your grocery items contain sugar. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), men can have a maximum of 37.5 grams, of added sugar a day, which is about 9 teaspoons and women can have a maximum of 25 grams, which is equal to 6 teaspoons a day.

This means everything you eat in the entire day, from breakfast to dinner plus all the munchies in between should totally contribute only 6-9 teaspoons of sugar.

Imagine grabbing a can of soda, Friday nights with a bottle of alcohol or just a glass of favourite juice on a scorching day – you are charging your body with excess sugar in minutes.

Even if you rely entirely on home food, unless you are making it from scratch it is going to contain sugar. Even the ones that are considered to be healthy contain sugar, especially the low-fat alternatives. In fact, they are the ones loaded with sugar.

Why sugar is Poison?

Another problem is that we can’t escape from these sneaky devils by looking at the food label. Added sugar comes in several fancy names like Golden syrup, corn syrup, treacle, dextrose, maltose etc., making it difficult to spot them in food labels.

The human body is designed to breakdown complex carbohydrates found in whole grains and fresh fruit and vegetables into glucose. This glucose then slowly releases into the bloodstream while absorbing the vital nutrients from them.  Glucose the sugar that fuels the body, needs insulin which is released from the pancreas, to do its job.

Feeding the body with the correct foods will allow the gradual release of glucose with small amounts of insulin, into the bloodstream.  This process keeps the body running smoothly, with energy levels stable and mind and body feeling balanced and nourished. 

This momentarily creates a blood sugar “high” glucose that is eventually moped up by the insulin, leaving the body worn out, tired and depleted.  The sugar “low” then sets in, and it’s time to eat again.

Eventually, with this ongoing consumption of sugar, the body becomes sluggish unable to cope, the brain becomes less efficient memory is impaired and the inevitable slide of ill health begins.

Harmful effects of sugar

Increases the Risk of Obesity, Diabetes and Heart Disease

Obesity, diabetes & heart disease is a complex problem with multiple causes. But among the likely suspects, sugar is high on the list. As sugar consumption has increased, so too has our national waistline.

If you’re concerned about protecting your health and your heart, you might want to take a closer look at the sweet stuff in your life.

The average person eats a whopping 20 teaspoons of sugar every day, according to  Heart Association’s recommendation an average of 6 teaspoons per day for women and 9 per day for men is enough.

Your Immune Function can be Affected by Sugar

Eating or drinking too much sugar curbs immune system cells that attack bacteria. This effect lasts for at least a few hours after downing a couple of sugary drinks. Eat more fruits and vegetables, which are rich in nutrients like vitamins C and E, plus beta-carotene and zinc.

Accelerates Aging

Sugar consumption can certainly play a role in the development of wrinkles and sagging skin, but its influence may be slight compared to the effects of other environmental factors and of aging itself.

It is true, however, that diets high in sugar can damage elastin and collagen molecules in the skin, increasing wrinkles and sagging. Research has shown that advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a class of compounds resulting from combinations of sugars and proteins, can accelerate the effects of aging.

These form whenever blood sugar is high, mostly from overconsumption of quick-digesting carbohydrates, including sweeteners and refined starches (flour).

Most Americans consume far too much sugar – an average of 22 teaspoons per day, mostly from sodas and other sweet drinks, baked goods, candy, and ready-to-eat cereals.

Limiting sugar intake to 10 percent of daily calories may help keep your skin looking younger longer.

It also can help you control your weight and improve your general health; research has linked diets high in sugar to fatal heart attacks as well as high blood pressure, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, increased triglycerides and fatty liver.

Causes Toothache

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NICDR), the mouth is full of hundreds of bacteria, many of which are beneficial to the oral ecosystem.

However, certain harmful oral bacteria actually feed on the sugars you eat to create acids that destroy the tooth enamel, which is the shiny, protective outer layer of the tooth.

Cavities are a bacterial infection created by acids, that cause your teeth to experience a hole in them. Without treatment, cavities can progress past the enamel and into the deeper layers of the tooth, causing pain and possible tooth loss.

Increases Stress

If you want to reduce stress, sugar is one of the first ingredients to cut out of your diet. When you’re stressed, the body releases more cortisol, a hormone responsible for helping us manage both stress and blood sugar levels.

That’s because when you eat sugary foods, blood sugar levels spike, and the body must release more cortisol to balance blood sugar.

The problem is that increased cortisol can also cause sleep issues, decreased immune response, headaches, and unhealthy food cravings. Additionally, rapidly fluctuating blood sugar levels cause feelings that are similar to stress, including anxiousness and fear.

By eliminating foods with added sugars—like pastries, flavored yogurt, and soda—and eating more whole foods, you’ll keep your blood sugar stable, which means fewer mood swings, reduced stress, and a happier body.

What’s the Solution? Try Natural Alternative’s

Honey

Honey is a whole food. It was likely available in the days of the caveman and is still used in indigenous cultures today.

Honey is easier on blood sugar than other sweeteners and doesn’t require insulin to metabolize.

Honey contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals, has antibiotic properties, is a prebiotic and supports the immune system and can help with seasonal allergies. We suggest raw honey in glass jars from a reputable supplier.

Maple Syrup

Last but not necessarily least in terms of a natural sweetener is 100 percent pure organic maple syrup. Look for grade B or even grade C that is USDA-certified organic.

Maple syrup is one of the best sugar substitutes because it’s a fantastic sweetener. It’s good especially over things like pancakes and waffles and good in certain recipes where you want more of that earthy flavor along with it.

Stevia

Stevia is a highly sweet herb derived from the leaf of the South American Stevia plant. Stevia does not raise blood sugar levels and is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.

Dates (Both raw and syrup)

Often found in health bars and cakes, dates not only add sweetness to baking but are also loaded with potassium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and vitamin B6.

Coconut Sugar

Coconut oil may be one of the biggest food and beauty trends of recent years but have you heard of coconut sugar?
Well, if you’re looking for something for a replacement then coconut sugar may be a good switch.

Raisins

For a creative spin on things, blend a cup of raisins in a food processor. With antioxidants and fiber, these little dried grapes add a kick to any baked good.

Molasses

What happens when sugar cane, grapes, and beets get together? Molasses! Use this dark syrup in a recipe for gingerbread cookies. It’ll add some extra iron and calcium, which makes the cookies healthy, right?