Blame Your Gene If You Love Sugar More

Cravings for sweets are built into the genes of most humans. This may be the body’s way of telling the babies to drink milk. Milk is a rich source of lactose, a kind of sugar.

Sugar is no villain. It doesn’t make kids hyperactive. It is not linked to heart attacks, nor does it contribute to increase weight, or linked to the cause of any cancer. A physically active person, benefits from the extra calories in it.

The only problem is, the decaying of tooth due to sweet stuff in it. Unlike naturally sweet fruits, pure sugar does not give any special nutrients. It leads to dietary problems, when consumed in high quantities.

These can lead to risks like diabetes. Mostly, the elderly are prone to it. In addition, a low fiber diet acts as a contributing factor.

What is sugar?

• Sugar is much more than just white stuff we stir into coffee.
• It is a natural component of fruit, honey, even vegetables.
• They belong to a group of nutrients called carbohydrates, the main source of energy.
• Our body converts this into glucose.
• Glucose is stored in muscles and liver and circulates as blood sugar.
• A carbohydrate rich diet comes from, whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits.
• This is enough for the body to make the required amounts of blood sugar.
• There is actually no need to include extra sugar in our diet.
• The sugar we use, is refined and concentrated.
• It appears as sucrose, fructose, glucose, dextrose, lactose, etc.
• These are commonly seen in cookies, cakes, and processed foods (cereals, canned fruits, ketchup).

Villain of the teeth:

Sugar promotes tooth decay, leading to cavities, creating a direct link between sugar and tooth diseases. Other foods also contribute to the process. Proper oral hygiene is the only way to control it.

Weight control:

Dieters' have avoided sugar, as a main source of excess weight. But fat contributes more.1gm of sugar carries 4 calories in them.

The problem arises, when sugar and fat are consumed together. Most of the sweet foods are fatty in nature, adding calories. Excess carbohydrates are stored in the body.

Sugar and memory:

In young adults, maintaining a steady blood sugar level improves,

• Attention
• Memory
• Learning

In the elderly, sweetened beverages can boost blood sugar enough to improve memory. Studies have shown that, healthy individuals with Alzheimer’s , and head injury victims were able to recall stories, words and faces after drinking sugar sweetened lemonade, rather than a similar one with saccharin.

Healthy alternatives?

Many people are under the belief that molasses, brown sugar and honey are better than white sugar.

• Molasses provides a bit of extra nutritional value
• They are by- products of cane- sugar production
• Contains trace minerals and vitamins
• Least refined molasses contains iron and chromium in moderate amounts
• Brown sugar is colored with caramel, or molasses
• Honey, a more concentrated form, obtained from flower nectar, contains trace minerals and vitamins.

Anyways, in a healthful diet, a little sugar is a harmless pleasure. But beyond the limit, it may result in several health risks.

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