Originally published December 3 2009
Remember the Dangers of Refined Sugar
by Fleur Hupston
(NaturalNews) In Western societies, the consumption of refined sugar is a daily addiction. From pouring syrup or sugar over pancakes and cereals at breakfast, to heaping it into coffee and tea, the habit continues during the day, resulting in obesity and health problems. Sugar content is often hidden from the unwary consumer and this raises questions such as: Is sugar really so bad? What exactly does it do to the human body? Can the definition of poison really be applied to sugar?
Effects of Sugar on Health
Poison is described in the dictionary as `A substance that injures or kills an organism` and is `destructive to health`.
It is widely documented that the amount of sugar the average person in Western societies obtains in his or her daily diet contributes to an immune system that is constantly operating below optimum levels.
Since sugar is stripped of all nutrients, the body must `borrow` missing vitamins and minerals required to metabolize sugar from its own tissues. Sugar damages health over time. Sugar is the chief culprit in many diseases and degenerative conditions; it creates havoc with the immune system and contributes to diseases such as obesity, tooth decay, damage to the pancreas, premature aging, osteoporosis, hyperactivity in children and weakening of eyesight. It contributes to the risk of heart disease and autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, asthma, and multiple sclerosis - this in addition to a plethora of other effects.
Sugar - What do the Doctors Say?
As far back as 1957 in his article published in the Michigan Organic News, Dr. William Coda classified sugar as a poison because it is stripped of life forces, vitamins and minerals. "What is left consists of pure, refined carbohydrates. Incomplete carbohydrate metabolism results in the formation of `toxic metabolite` such as pyruvic acid. This interferes with the function of a part of the body and is the beginning of degenerative disease".
Most people know that sugar is bad for teeth and rots them. If sugar is doing that to a person`s teeth,what is it doing to the rest of the body? In his book "Sugar Blues", William Dufty notes, "Dental researchers have proven that the teeth are subject to the same metabolic processes that affect other organs of the body." In other words, the acid that destroys tooth enamel is the same acid destroying the body.
Sugar should be eliminated from the diet in even small quantities. Avoid sugar and food containing hidden sugars - read ALL labels.
There are plenty of healthy alternatives to sugar. Try a little raw honey (unheated and unfiltered - heat can destroy the enzymes, rendering it almost as bad as refined sugar), Stevia or raw molasses. Brown sugar is not better for health than white sugar - brown sugar is simply white granulated sugar with dyes and chemicals added.
Sources:
Martin William Coda, "When is Food a Food - and when a Poison?" Michigan Organic News, 1957, p.3
Book "Sugar Blues" by William Dufty, Published by Warner Books, 1976 edition
http://articles.smashits.com/articles/health... article Sugar Dangers by Dr. Robert Bard
About the author
Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for Natural News and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time.
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