There have been several high-profile revelations in the nutrition world in recent years. First, fat fell out of favor, after gluten, and now it was sugar. He is accused of a global increase in the weight of the world’s population, problems with the cardiovascular system, and is called an outright poison. But are all the facts about sugar that are being actively replicated now really true? Let’s deal with the most popular statements, albeit not with all of them.
Table of Contents
Sugar causes obesity
Myth!
People get fat because they consume too many calories, and not because of some special properties of sugar. Sugar is just a source of calories. But the reason is indirect.
Sugar is dangerous for the brain
Myth!
English scientists conducted laboratory experiments on rats, which were added to the diet with sweet syrup. As a result, the subjects showed negative changes in brain development. But there is no reason to argue that sugar consumption can make a person stupider.
Sugar provokes the appearance of wrinkles
Fact!
Excessive consumption of sugar can affect the elasticity of the skin. Glycation is to blame – a process in which blood sugar binds to proteins, and as a result, molecules are formed that make collagen more brittle. Hence the wrinkles.
Avoid sugar altogether
Myth!
Natural sugars are found in a wide variety of foods: fruits, vegetables, nuts, and even milk. To completely give up sugar means to limit your diet, which is hardly realistic, and besides, it is quite dangerous to health. It’s wise to keep track of your sugar intake.
There are different types of sugar
Myth!
Vigilant marketers assure us that coconut sugar, thanks to the micronutrients in the composition, is much healthier than usual. Alas, the content of iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium is so tiny that you can hardly get any real benefit from them. But the number of calories, for example, they have the same. Brown sugar and white, honey are all ultimately glucose.
Glucose is essential for the body
Fact!
Sugar is important to us because it is the building block for carbohydrates. The question is the amount of sugar consumed.
Sugar is addictive like a drug
Myth!
No, there is no real dependence on sugar. The body gets used to consuming sweets, but it can be readjusted, and after a couple of weeks, taste habits will change.
“No added sugar” and “No sugar” are not the same
Fact!
Don’t be fooled by the lettering on the label. Juice that the manufacturer did not add sugar to, for example, still contains a lot of sugar naturally from fruits.
Sugar makes children hyperactive
Myth!
There are currently no studies confirming the relationship between sweets and hyperactivity in children. So the child’s behavior should not be attributed to the number of candies eaten.
Sugar is not toxic
Fact!
Yes, high sugar consumption can be a serious health problem. But abuse of any product, including even pure water, is theoretically dangerous. So it’s important to know when to stop.
Sugar causes diabetes
Myth!
Diabetes is a complex problem related to the pancreas and metabolism. Diabetes can be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Obese people are more likely to develop this condition because fat can cause insulin resistance. So the abuse of sweets can only be an indirect cause of diabetes (as well as caries).
Sugar is a great preservative
Fact!
Indeed, its amazing properties cause bacteria to lose water. Without water, the development of bacteria is impossible, which is why sugar is added not only to jam but also to a vase with cut flowers to keep them fresh for longer.
Maintain common-sense in everything, including nutrition.
