Nearly thirty years ago, William Dufty, author of Sugar Blues, claimed the consumption of refined sugar is the number one cause of diabetes, and argued that refined sugar is an addictive drug, comparing it to opium, morphine, and heroin.
Refined sugar is an addictive drug, comparing it to opium, morphine, and heroin.
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But because of the sugar and food industry’s power, celebrity endorsements, and ubiquitous advertising, the consumption of sugar is growing faster than the world’s population, increasing 1 percent every year.
Sugar is included in virtually all processed food. For example, there are 4 teaspoons of sugar per serving in Heinz tomato soup, and a teaspoon of sugar in two slices of white bread.
Researchers have linked 180,000 obesity-related deaths worldwide to sugary drinks alone, including about 25,000 adult Americans. A typical 20-ounce soda contains 15 to 18 teaspoons of sugar and upwards of 240 calories. A 64-ounce fountain cola drink could have up to 700 calories.
Besides high-fructose corn syrup, refined sugar is one of the worst substances you can put in your body.
Why? Because the calories provided by sugar are completely void of any nutrition.
Action on Sugar is a group of specialists concerned with sugar and its effects on health. The group is working to reach a consensus with the food industry and the government over the harmful effects of a high-sugar diet and reducing the amount of sugar in processed foods.
Consider this striking remark on behalf of Action on Sugar:
“Added sugar is a very recent phenomenon (c150 years) and only occurred when sugar, obtained from sugar cane, beet and corn became very cheap to produce. No other mammal eats added sugar and there is no requirement for added sugar in the human diet. This sugar is a totally unnecessary source of calories, gives no feeling of fullness and is acknowledged to be a major factor in causing obesity and diabetes both in the UK and worldwide.”
Consider these powerful reasons to avoid sugar:
Excessive consumption of sugar can lead to diabetes
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1) Diabetes
The consumption of refined sugar is linked to diabetes. If you have diabetes, you have too much glucose in your blood, which can lead to serious health problems.
2) Obesity
Obesity is now killing triple the number of people who die from malnutrition, claiming more than three million lives a year worldwide. Highly refined and processed foods containing sugar, and high fructose corn syrup is a major cause of obesity.
Too much sugar weakens the immune system, making you easily susceptible to diseases.
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3) Immune System
Refined sugar suppresses the immune system, and causes an overproduction of digestive enzymes, putting stress on the pancreas.
4) Liver
Refined sugar impairs liver function which can lead to high blood pressure, skin issues and acne.
Skin aging is hastened with excessive intake of sugar.
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5) Aging
Refined sugar inhibits blood flow and affects aging, contributing to skin wrinkles, and dry and aged skin.
6) Steals Nutrients From Body
Refined sugar makes the digestive system acidic, which robs minerals and vitamins from the body, and calcium from bone and teeth. It also depletes potassium and magnesium, essential for cardiac health.