Originally published June 30 2008
The Dangers of Sugar and the Importance of Healthy Sugar Substitutes
by Sheryl Walters
(NaturalNews) Sugar is sold abundantly in every food shop in the world and is often not acknowledged as the aging health criminal that it is. Sugar is responsible for an astonishing amount of physical and mental suffering. So many illnesses are caused by carbohydrates sugar overload, while many others are certainly made worse by it. Health problems that are associated with sugar intolerance include attention deficit disorder, mood swings, headaches, insomnia, emotional outbursts, cystitis, eczema, diabetes... and premature aging.
Sugary foods quickly elevate blood sugar which causes an insulin release that increases stored body fat and the release of pro-inflammatory, cell damaging chemicals that accelerate aging, as well as heart disease, some types of cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer's, and many more diseases.
Sugar is Highly Aging
If you really want to look and feel young for as long as possible, then cutting out carbohydrates sugar, or at least limiting your intake is advisable.
Sugar causes free radicals that oxidize fats which form plaque deposits in our arteries, leading to disease and aging.
This toxic substance damages molecules and creates advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. In simple terms, sugar causes wrinkles and sagging skin in addition to what it does to the internal organs and all of the other negative side effects.
Sugar Addiction
Sugar is incredibly addictive. Many alcoholics trade their alcohol addiction for a sugar addiction.
Healthy Sugar Substitutes:
* Date syrup or date sugar (not sugar at all) is made from dates, so it contains all the vitamins, minerals and fiber of the fruit. It can be used in equal parts as a direct substitute for sugar, especially in baking. It is metabolized slowly so it does not cause energy highs and lows. Use this in your recipes for a detox diet.
* Agave nectar is a natural juice extracted from agave, the same plant that's processed into tequila. Agave nectar does not cause dramatic blood sugar fluctuations so energy levels remain more consistent. It is 42 percent sweeter than white sugar, so less is needed in recipes. It goes beautiful with health enhancing super foods.
* Xylitol is a widely approved sweetener; even people with diabetes can put this on their healthy food list since it doesn't create for people with diabetes a sugar intolerance. It is extracted from natural sources such as fruits and vegetables. Xylitol is a great tasting bulk sweetener with 40% less calories than sugar. The best part is that it is actually known to reduce the incidence of tooth decay and offer protection against cavities.
* Stevia is a South American herb that has been used as a sweetener by the Guarani Indians of Paraguay for hundreds of years. It has a delicious and refreshing taste that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar. Stevia is calorie-free and doesn't upset blood sugar levels. In fact, it can actually assist in regulating blood-sugar levels.
About the author
Sheryl is a kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practitioner.
Her website www.younglivingguide.com provides the latest research on preventing disease, looking naturally gorgeous, and feeling emotionally and physically fabulous. You can also find some of the most powerful super foods on the planet including raw chocolate, purple corn, and many others.
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