IS SUGAR TOXIC?
In my opinion yes it’s toxic because it’s not a “real food product” and our body can’t process or recognize the molecule thus it is stored as fat.
I also believe that it’s addictive and feeds itself over and over again.
Our “food” choices today are becoming less and less fresh and more and more boxed and processed thus the sugar, thus one reason for our increased obesity rate.
According to Dr. Amen (he was the keynote speaker for IDEA World 2011) in his book “The Amen Solution” it is more addictive than cocaine.
In that light, I would call it toxic.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
/Agree partly with above posts.
The addictive nature is definitely a drawback that harms huge portions of the population. The largest negative point is what Susan D’Alonzo mentioned- its stored as a fat. People don’t expend energy consumed, so it never has a chance to help.
However, I’d argue that it can be good when implemented properly. For quick energy nothing is better- but the crash definitely leaves something to be desired.
Dextrose (in gummy bears and select candies) is used by bodybuilders and athletes to get an artificial insulin spike after a workout. It helps transport nutrients to muscles when they’re fatigued and aids in recovery.
Do not forget about all the hidden sugars maltadextrose, high fructose corn syrup, fructose, xatham gum the names go on. What happens is that this causes a spike in insulin at a fast rate. This is one of the causes of obesity and the diabetic crisis ( science is finally proving this). There is plenty of anecdotal and empirical evidence. Have you ever seen a kid get a sugar rush. Then the child will beg for candy. If the child is not exposed to sweets they tend to make healthier food choices. We already have enough sugar from the foods we eat like bread, ketchup, all types of food have sugar. Why not use natural alternatives like honey or agave or eating fruits. It takes your body longer to process natural sugars. There was a nytimes piece on the topic. Natural unprocessed sugar is digested by all the cells in the body while the processed sugars are broken down by a few organs.
I personally do not see the substance itself as toxic. I think that, as with ANYTHING, it boils down to the amount ingested and its effect on the particular person ingesting it. As the saying goes, “too much of anything is not good.”
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
[email protected]