BAD EFFECTS OF SUGAR
- Destroys the digestive enzymes in the mouth, stomach, small intestines and pancreas.
- Reduces the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Food is thus not properly digested and absorbed, leading to constipation.
- Robs the body of almost all nutrients, especially chromium, zinc and calcium, and vitamins C and B-complex.
- Increases the appetite.
- Results in swings in the blood sugar levels.
- Causes hyperactivity in children.
- Is made with acid and is acid-yielding in our body, resulting in the leaching out of calcium from bones. It causes cavities and osteoporosis.
- It has no nutrients––only empty calories––and causes weight gain.
- Excess sugar is converted into fat and can cause fatty liver disease.
- It causes the release of dopamine (as do drugs) and is highly addictive.
Sugar versus Fruit
As a diabetic, I am sure you try not to consume sugar. Consuming sugar in the free form, or as an additive, or even in the form of juice, syrup, honey, molasses, jaggery, etc. will raise the blood sugar levels. Sugar goes straight into the bloodstream. But naturally sweet foods, such as fruit, sweet potato, beetroot, dates and even whole sugar cane, etc. will not cause a problem. The fibre in these whole foods prevents the sugar from going straight into the bloodstream. I have seen many diabetics overjoyed with our meal plans because they can eat as much fruit as they like. There is absolutely no restriction on the kind of fruit. Mangoes, bananas, grapes, sapodillas (chikoo/sapota) and custard apples can be relished again.
Artificial Sweeteners
Sweeteners such as saccharin, sucralose and aspartame are never recommended. Some of these are extremely harmful, can promote diabetes and even cancer, and do not help in reducing the blood sugar levels. As you know, no diabetic gets better by consuming these sweeteners. Even natural ones like stevia, agave, maple syrup and honey are not recommended. They too stimulate the sweet taste buds, keeping us addicted to the sweet taste. As you may have seen, sweets are highly addictive, but fruit is generally not. When we completely stop consuming sugar and other sweeteners, we find that our taste buds have changed. Sugar can become too sweet and undesirable as we start experiencing the sweetness of vegetables like peas, carrots and onions. And we stop craving sweets.
The advantage of never consuming sugar or sweeteners is that a day will come when you will be able to refuse a cake or walk past the dessert section of a buffet without ever having a pang of desire. I know that may sound absurd to some of you now, but I have seen it happen over and over again.
I have seen some diabetics––who have completely stopped consuming sugar and don’t take additives––feel the same way. They can detect artificial sweetness in anything!
Then there are others who decide to have this tantalizing substance only on rare occasions (weddings, birthdays, parties, etc.). The only problem with this is that sugar is a highly addictive substance. If we go back to consuming it, we can get addicted again, just like a smoker who has quit smoking can get addicted to tobacco again.