“Sugar is going to ruin your health and shorten your life expectancy!” I’ve heard statements like these before as I’m sure many of you have. I once had a similar stance in believing sugar containing foods should be avoided. Coming from a background where sugar could cause serious inflammation, I understand the need for some to be more cautious about it than others. Whether it is neurological pain or gut related inflammation, it’s important to know what sources triggered it. If negative immune responses occur from consuming all types of sugar, I believe microbial imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, and dietary lifestyle should be evaluated. Identifying the root causes of chronic conditions will often reveal that sugar itself isn’t always the culprit.
The four arguments I’m familiar with regarding avoiding sugar are valid when applicable to the individual person. These arguments include cancer prevention, inflammation, diabetes, and weight gain. It is true that being mindful of these areas will help set some healthy boundaries, but how strict should they be? When sugar is labeled as a health hazard it’s important to know what source of sugar is being referenced. Blueberries have polyphenols that fight inflammation, certain cancers, and are often used for diabetes. This is one example why all sugary foods shouldn’t be labeled in the same category.
One suggestion with sugar consumption is to select sources that come directly from one type of food. This will rule out processed sources and include foods like fruits, raw honey, and maple syrup. Many people are unaware that genuine maple syrup contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Apart from cancer, I believe the other three areas of concern are within a person’s control and choice. I mentioned the word balance in this post because it plays into every aspect of life including sugar consumption. Even fruits that supply us with vitamins and fiber can be abused and cause harm if eaten in excess. However, removing all types of natural sugar foods without having a factual basis can also be unbeneficial.
Websites that provide food nutrition data can help bring clarity on which types of carbohydrates are beneficial or harmful. One of my preferred sites in this category is called Foodstruct. It is a user-friendly site that can display the nutritional profile of various foods and can make comparisons with intelligent suggestions. Different sugar molecules such as fructose, sucrose, lactose, and dextrose can be tolerated differently per individual. Using a site like this will allow you to pinpoint problematic foods easily by identifying the type of sugar it contains and how much. Seeing a dietician or functional practitioner can be helpful but expensive at the same time. Financial burdens are often paired with having chronic conditions, but I believe those costs can be minimized with knowledge. Having regular medical labs that provide data along with using tools like Foodstruct can be a valuable resource.
It’s also important to be aware of foods and beverages that are portrayed to be healthy, but their ingredients state otherwise. I feel strongly about this with certain types of shakes that are given or recommended for people with inflammatory GI conditions. When my weight was low, I was told by doctors that I needed to consume several of these drinks. I did not recognize at the time that they were loaded with processed sugar, artificial flavors, and highly inflammatory A1 dairy. The subject of differentiating A1 and A2 dairy is something I recommend my readers should investigate. These shakes offer a good sales pitch, offering a high number of calories, protein, and vitamins. They only made things far worse for me as I know they have for countless others. Becoming familiar in identifying good nutrition can sometimes be daunting. Trying to interpret nutrition labels and ingredients takes time, but it is a necessary step in taking charge of your health.
I know this topic of good and bad sugar isn’t an uncommon one. I want people to remember that everyone is on a different scale of nutrition awareness. Some want proper balance in addressing their health needs but don’t know how to effectively go about it. Determination to learn for yourself or loved ones will always be useful and may help prevent or reverse health decline. Carbohydrates and sugar molecules are the primary source of energy our bodies depend on to survive. We were clearly created with this design and need to be conscious of its necessity for good health.
This focus on sugar is just one example, many other health subjects have claims that should be analyzed before accepting it. Thinking for yourself and being armed with facts will help deter misinformation that doesn’t apply to everyone. The word balance can have different meanings based on how it’s applied. The type I’m referring to here is in educational awareness and personal health discipline. Wherever you are on the scale of wellness, know that you have what it takes to bring balance and success to your health. I hope the words I shared broaden your perception about sugar and its complex role in your health.
