Without sugar, we die:
Sugars are fundamental to biological life and have been an integral part of the human diet. Almost all biological ecosystems rely on photosynthesis, the process by which sunlight is converted to sugar, and nearly all microorganisms, plants, and non-human, and human creatures can metabolize glucose, a hexose monosaccharide. The most significant organic substances on Earth are therefore sugars and sugar polymers. One of the Essential Medicines recognized by the World Health Organization is glucose, a basic sugar that is essential to human health. Given these facts, the claim that sugars and other nutrients, which were fundamental in the significant gains in life and health span over the past century, are suddenly to blame for the rise in obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases. Macronutrients cannot affect health or metabolism in a way that is independent of the physiologic context in which they are consumed (e.g., degree of physical activity).
Dietary sugars do not cause obesity or metabolic disorders, and in healthy people, consuming simple sugars and sugar-polymers (such as starches) up to 75% of daily calorie intake is safe.
Approximately 50% of mortality in children under five is caused by malnutrition and diarrheal illnesses, and dietary sugars are crucial for nutritional rehabilitation. One of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) essential medicines is sugar in the form of glucose, the treatment of malnutrition and dehydration was recently characterized as “A liter of water. A fistful of sugar. A half-teaspoon of salt” (Malakoff et al., 2017). Treatment begins with feedings of “sugar water…every 2 hours round-the-clock.”
According to recent research, obesity and type 2 diabetes are metabolic conditions rather than diet-related diseases. These conditions are brought on by positive energy balance, or overnutrition, which is a result of a combination of nongenetic evolutionary processes known as “accumulative maternal effects” and physical inactivity (Archer et al., 2013).
Recently, it has been popular to attribute numerous health issues to sugar consumption. Since bottled water and sugar-free beverages started to replace sodas on sale in 1999, the per capita intake of sugar in the US has actually decreased. The prevalence of diabetes has increased concurrently with a steady increase in cheese consumption and fatty food intake. This implies that the diabetes epidemic is being caused by factors other than sugar.
Sugars are carbohydrates. Similar to all other carbs, they serve as a dietary source of energy. Like all carbohydrates, they provide a source of energy in our diet. A lot of these nutritious foods are made more palatable by sugar, which increases the amount of vital vitamins and minerals consumed. Sweet foods and beverages that don’t contribute nutrients should be thought of as treats. But just because a food contains sugar does not make it unhealthy. A diet high in kilojoules, or “energy dense,” can lead to health issues like obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay. Refined or processed sugar offers a quick and easy source of energy but lacks other nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Sugar is all-natural and only has 15 calories per teaspoon. Sugar and all carbohydrates are 4 calories per gram, protein is also 4 calories per gram, whereas, fats have 9 calories per gram
Sugar is not the cause of overweight & obesity
Consuming more food (calories) than needed to maintain ENERGY BALANCE causes overweight & obesity.
Myths about sugar
Why are there so many sugar-related myths, and why are they so simple to accept?
Is it possible that sugar’s deliciousness leads people to assume it must be unhealthy? Many of the widespread misconceptions regarding sugar have been disproven by scientific studies over many years.
People says Sugar is addictive: Compulsive conduct with physiological symptoms that can be diagnosed medically is called addiction. These symptoms are not brought on by eating sugar or any other type of carbohydrate, as well as protein or fat. In actuality, people enjoy good cuisine. However, there are clear distinctions between true physical need and psychological dependence, which is frequently an emotional reaction to food. Food does not cause withdrawal, the medically recognized symptoms that are unique to real addiction.
Sugar has a moderate glycemic index (GI) of 58. A blood sugar high is not brought on by sugar. It is not a physiological or scientific truth that sugar induces a fast spike in blood sugar, or glycemic response, which in turn sets off an aberrant insulin production and an abnormal reduction in blood sugar.
Sugar does not cause diabetes. When a person has diabetes, their pancreas either cannot create enough insulin or cannot use the insulin that is produced in an appropriate manner. Every major scientific authority, including the American Diabetes Association, says that sugar does not cause diabetes.
However there is a Myth that Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar. No, Diabetes is brought on by a confluence of lifestyle and genetic factors. However, being overweight does increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is advised to follow a balanced diet and exercise routine if there is a family history of diabetes. Individuals with diabetes do not need to restrict their intake of sugar or foods containing sugar due to the low risk of exacerbating their hyperglycemia. Other carbohydrate sources in the food/meal plan should be replaced with sucrose, or if included, it should be sufficiently covered by insulin or another medication that lowers blood sugar.
Sugar does not lead to hyperactivity or behavioral issues, according to a 1995 meta-analysis [a systematic evaluation of the scientific literature] that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This conclusion is still accepted in science. Sugar is not merely a source of empty calories. Pure carbohydrates, or sugar, are the building blocks of our bodies and brains. Not every food that has sugar in it is low in nutrition. Maintaining a healthy diet that does not exceed calorie requirements is more crucial for eating well than the sugar content of a food.