| 
| 
SUGAR BLUES
*Weight, diet, stress and attitude can affect your health
What is sugar?
Sugar is a substance that if discovered today most likely would not be allow on the market. In countries where there is a high increase in the consumption of sugar, there is also a higher incidence of cancer, heart disease, hypertension, depression and mental illness.
Sugar is a molecule made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. There are two types of sugar:
- MONOSACCHARIDES – made up of one sugar molecule. Includes glucose, fructose (fruit sugar) and galacrose.
- DISACCHARIDES-Made up of two sugar molecules linked together. Includes sucrose, malrose and lacrose.
HOW MUCH SUGAR DO YOU CONSUME?
According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA):
- Americans purchase 153 pounds of sugar per ca pira per year.
- Americans consume 64 pounds of sugar per year or approximately 11% total calories
- Americans consume 20 teaspoons of added sugar daily
What this means...
- One pound of sugar = 453.60 grams
- One twelve ounce can of soda = 41 grams of sugar
- 453.60 grams divided by 41 grams = 11.06
- This means that for every 11 cans of soda you drink – you have consumed approximately one pound of sugar
- If you drink one soda every day – in eleven days you will have consumed approximately one pound of sugar.
WHAT IF YOU DRINK ONE SODA EVERY DAY FOR A YEAR?
- 365 days per year divided by 11 days = 33.18
- This means that you drink one twelve (12) ounce can of regular soda every day for a year, you will have consumed
- 33.18 pounds of sugar.
SUGAR BY ANY OTHER NAME IS STILL THE SAME…
- White sugar
- Molasses
- Corn Syrup
- Dextrose
- Lactose
- Galactose
- Brown Sugar
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Powdered Sugar
- Fructose
- Gluecose
- Cane Sugar
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Fruit Juice Concentrate
- Sucrose
- Maltose
Glucose + Fructose = Table Sugar
Glucose + Clucose = Maltose (appears when a starch is being broken down)
Glactose + Glucose = Lactose (milk sugar)
How does the body process sugar?
Glucose is used to provide energy to all the cells in the body. When you eat something that contains the sugars mentioned above, it is absorbed quickly into your bloodstream through the intestinal lining. That is why some types of sugars are called SIMPLE CARBOHYDRATES.
These are different from COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES, also known as starches and include food items such as corn, oats, rice and potatoes. Complex carbohydrates are made of chains of glucose molecules so that it can enter your bloodstream. This process takes longer.
COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES VS. SIMPLE CARBOHYDRATES
When you consume a simple carbohydrate such as soda or a candy bar, the absorption rate is much faster, causing the glucose level of the blood to rise rapidly. The pancreas responds by secreting a large amount of insulin to keep the glucose levels from rising too high. This large level of insulin tends to make the blood sugar level fall to low levels within 3 to 5 hours after eating. This can lead to an adrenaline surge, which can cause nervousness and irritability. This creates a “roller coaster” ride. Complex carbohydrates, which enter the bloodstream at a slower rate, do nor produce this affect.