...or what you haven't been told about "sugar"...
"...okay Caolan - why is sugar in inverted commas??"
(I like it when people pick up on the subtle hints)
...you're being told it everywhere at the moment - sugar is bad...but why??
...well, that's simple - because what you're being sold or told is sugar, really isn't...let me illustrate - this is what sugar should look like:
...this is sugar (or sucrose, which consists of a molecule of fructose and glucose bound together) in it's natural form - this, conversely, is what you're being sold as "sugar":
"...umm, Caolan - that's just looks like something out of a chemistry lab..."
(took the words right out of my mouth - resist any references to Meatloaf here, please)
...this is an individual molecule of glucose - one that has been cleaved from the fructose molecule it is normally bound to...this is what is commonly labelled as "sugar" in our foods (this does also happen in reverse)...the problem is that, even though this is a part of a natural sugar (sucrose) molecule, it does not act like a natural substance inside the body...
...it acts like a chemical - a drug...
(three second dramatic pause)
...and that should make the rest of what I say no surprise...
...the fact that this "sugar" is, in fact, a drug means that your body does not absorb it like a normal food...therefore, you cannot get any sense of satiety (or "fullness" - there's your word for the day guys) from consuming this...therefore, you can eat this for an extended period without feeling full...
...I don't know about you, but that scares the living daylights out of me...
...now if you consume large amounts (I'm talking in excess of 60g in a single sitting) of this "sugar", your body will attempt to remove it from your system to prevent this drug from damaging your body...so, how will it do this?? By coverting it to fat in your liver...
...that might raise the odd eyebrow, but that's what your liver is for - it eliminates toxic chemicals from your body...and yes, that means "sugar" is a toxic chemical...
...the other thing that disturbs me - this "sugar" is a drug...that means it comes with all the complications of drugs - meaning side-effects, withdrawal symptoms and:
"...okay mate, so you're painting a pretty bleak picture here - is it really THAT bad?? I mean, it's not like I'm a drug addict or anything..."
...the honest truth (and people really dislike it when I tell them this), you are - you're addicted...in fact, "sugar" is the most addictive substance known to humankind...we're born with a innate palate that prefers sour food...and once it is converted to liking sweet, it cannot be reverted...that means a life long addiction to "sugar"...
...the problem is that now this "sugar" is in a lot of the processed foods we find in our supermarkets...(I'll leave you as to your own assumptions as to why a can of tomatoes needs four teaspoons of this "sugar" in it)...so how do we avoid it??
...the most simple answer, is to start reading labels...and to start only consuming foods that are close to their natural state...therefore, the closer a food is to it's natural state - the less likely it is to have "sugar" in it...
"...okay, okay...so it's bad...but surely there's a safe amount that I can have??"
...that, I do not have an answer for...I think I have to fall back onto the words of my 4th grade teacher (thank you Sister Nina) - there is no such thing as a safe amount when you're talking about addictive substances...
...as always, if you want to know more about "sugar" alternatives or how you can alter your diet to avoid consuming this drug, feel free to email me: the.chiro@mail.com
