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Health
Is Sugar Bad For You?

What do you think about this question? Sugar is something that you consume on a daily basis whether you realise it or not. Most products contain sugar, although it is sometimes hidden with words like high fructose corn syrup. What people don't know is that sugar is one of the worst things you can put into the body. Sugar causes a chemical reaction in the body that acts as if you had ingested poison.

Processed sugar has many harmful effects on the body and can throw many of the organ systems out of balance. For example, sugar sends the nervous system into the flight or fight response*. This is not healthy because when this happens repeatedly, it suppresses immune system function that can lead to health disorders later in life. High sugar consumption leads to an overly acidic body and will cause the body to take vital nutrients from its reserve. Since calcium is the primary mineral used to neutralise high acid, this effect can cause the body to take calcium from the bones and teeth. This can lead to osteoporosis if it continues to happen for a long time.

Excess amounts of sugar can cause weight gain. Sugar is normally stored in the liver as glucose. But when the liver is full, it sends the excess glucose back into the blood as fat. The fatty acids are taken throughout the body and are stored in different parts of the body. The consumption of excess processed carbohydrates can have the same effect on the body. Many people don't believe that these can cause weight gain, but this is due to the biological effect the food has on the body.

Sugar consumption gives you a false energy high by making you feel like you have more energy. But instead it is actually stimulating the flight or fight response. After this wears off, your body has an energy crash and you feel tired. The sugars that are good for you are fruit sugars. These sugars nourish and energize the body naturally. Eat at least 4 to 5 pieces of fruit a day.

The processed sugar consumed by children is part of the reason for ADD (attention deficit disorder). The behaviours and bodily responses children feel are the flight or fight response. By cutting down or even eliminating these sugars in children's diet, you can help diminish the effect of ADD.

Aspartame is in many products and consumers don't really realise the impact it can have on their body. This is because the companies that produce it hide the fact that aspartame is worse for you than sugar. The brand names of the sweeteners that contain aspartame are Equal, Nutra Sweet, Spoonful, and Equal Measure. The compounds contained in aspartame are very powerful and can cause severe biological effects on the body. The aspartame compounds break down into methanol, which in turn, will break down into formaldehyde. It is a highly reactive chemical that damages cells and genetics of the body. The methyl alcohol that forms from aspartame is way more potent than the alcohol from an alcoholic drink. The reactions to consuming aspartame include headaches, nausea, depression, fatigue, memory loss, breathing problems, seizures and sometimes even death.

Pregnant women and children need to especially stay away from aspartame because it can cause developmental problems. Instead use something natural to sweeten food and drinks. One alternative is Stevia, which is an herb. It is sweeter than regular sugar and doesn't give you a false energy high. There is even a nourishing effect on the body. There are a couple other alternatives you can try, such as rice syrup, date paste, fruit juice concentrates, and honey. You can find most of these products at a health food store.

You may be wondering if Sweet-N-Low contains aspartame and if it is harmful to the body. The answer is no. There have been studies done that prove there are no damaging effects to cells from Sweet-N-Low. It is actually a good substitute for sugar.

The bottom line is there are many organisations out there telling consumers different things. It is up to you to decide what to believe. Make sure to read labels and see what is in the food and drinks you consume. Take responsibility of your diet and what you are putting into your body. If you still plan to consume aspartame after learning the harmful effects, you are the one who will suffer the consequences.

* The fight-or-flight response (or acute stress response) states that animals react to threats with a general discharge of the sympathetic nervous system, priming the animal for leaving or fighting. Later, this was known as the first stage of a general adaptation syndrome that regulates stress responses among vertebrates and other organisms.

Source: www.essential-nutrition.com