Sugar, the Next Big Tobacco

Maybe not exactly, because sugar isn't prohibited to minors, but there are some striking similarities between sugar and tobacco. Both are backed by powerful political lobbies paid for by powerful behind the scenes industries. Both have powerful addictive qualities. Both are detrimental to our health and despite the fact that we may want them we really don’t need either one. The sugar I am referring to here is the highly (and chemically) refined stuff that doesn't occur in nature, namely high fructose corn syrup and sucrose (table sugar).

Look at the health issues first…Fructose, an ingredient in table sugar and high fructose corn syrup is metabolized in the liver almost exclusively and when converted to fat can scar the liver and lead to inflammation and cirrhosis. Fructose is also a simple sugar found naturally in fruit but it doesn't play an essential role in human metabolism like other sugars (glucose) found naturally occurring in carbs like starch. Fructose (unlike glucose) is not regulated by insulin and has been blamed for an increase in obesity and diabetes. Fructose consumption has also been shown to boost levels of triglycerides in the blood leading to heart disease and hardening of the arteries.

The World Health Organization is now taking a closer look at sugar’s dangers. Its Nutrition Guidance Expert Advisory Group is carrying out a review of evidence with a view toward making recommendations. I’m taking a closer look at food labels and finding that there is a lot of missing info as far as sugars goes in processed food, all the more reason to consider clean eating and avoid the processed stuff as much as possible.