Sugar: The Toxin Consumed Daily

Did you ever feel the urge to eat one more piece of chocolate after eating the first one? Well, if your answer is yes then you are not the only one! 

Milk chocolate which is made up of 10-50% cocoa solids, cocoa butter, milk in some form, and sugar is very addicting. Why did I highlight the word sugar? Because sugar is the main ingredient which is addicting. 

It’s not only about chocolate, but every food that includes sugar is very addicting.

What is sugar made up of?

To understand sugar, we need to know what it's made up of. Sugar is made up of glucose and fructose. 

Glucose can be easily used by the body, and fructose can be found in fruits. This fructose can be handled by the body in only small amounts. 

Any more and the liver cannot process it and turns it into fat. This fat is extremely dangerous for the liver, especially if in high amounts.

What are the issues with sugar?

Sugar is also one of the main reasons for metabolic syndrome. 

Diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, high blood pressure, dementia, gut problems, inflammatory problems, cancer and fatty liver diseases all come under the category of metabolic syndrome.

Why is sugar so addicting?

Eating sugar releases opioids and dopamine in our bodies. This is the link between added sugar and addictive behaviour. 

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is a key part of the “reward circuit” associated with addictive behaviour. 

How much sugar a day?

Well WHO says: “A new WHO guideline recommends adults and children reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of their total energy intake. 

A further reduction to below 5% or roughly 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day would provide additional health benefits.” 

Reference from: https://www.who.int/news/item/04-03-2015-who-calls-on-countries-to-reduce-sugars-intake-among-adults-and-children and dopamine in our bodies.

Why do brands make these products that could harm you?

Well, the industry knows that people need one of 3 things to enjoy their food. Fats, salt and sugar. 

Some people like fatty foods, like fried potato chips, beef, steak and more. Some people like salty foods and some like sweet foods. 

And none of these are good for the body in excess amounts. But are extremely addicting and hence the brands make more money.

What is the effect of this on kids?

The youth are most affected by this. They are fed this toxin without a choice. This causes a lot of problems. 

Sure metabolic syndrome is one but other than that there are many more. Kids consume big amounts of this toxin, get a sugar rush, and then feel tired the rest of the day. 

Behavioural changes are also common. Kids throw tantrums, we shut them up with a sweet snack and then the next time, they throw a tantrum because they want another sweet snack.

Also, they are easily caught in the trap of dental issues. As getting them to clean their teeth is a very hard task, we let them go without cleaning and then they slowly lose all their teeth.

Conclusion:

Take sugar consciously as it is not something to mess with. Sugar is extremely addicting and toxic which could lead to lethal diseases.

Be even more cautious with the sugar intake of kids as they are more prone to these diseases.