Sweet Talk

Here are some quick facts about sugar you have to know:

• Certain types of food containing sugar that enters easily and quickly into the bloodstream are called high-glycemic foods. Such foods include baked potatoes, white flour, white rice, pretzels, french fries and sweetcorn.

  Whenever food is digested, it breaks down into glucose (sugar) then gets absorbed straight into the bloodstream and is ready to be converted to energy by the body cells. The hormone insulin has to be present to stimulate the body cells to take in glucose. Chromium is a trace mineral that promotes better use of insulin and improves glucose tolerance (the ability to use and store glucose).

• Unhealthy levels of sugar has been linked to diabetes, obesity, allergies, heart disease, osteoporosis and the list still goes on.
• Eliminating sugar from one’s diet could help eliminate dryness associated with Sjögren’s syndrome.
• Cancer is a sugar-feeder.
• Sugary foods encourage mucus formation.
• Too much sugar in the diet causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) which can cause memory lapses and poor concentration power.
• Sugar-loving yeasts are set to grow and cause infection when sugar content in the vaginal area is high due to a high intake of sweet foods.
• Taking sugary foods and drinks feed the bacteria on the plaque to form teeth decaying acid. Sipping or eating slowly only exposes the teeth to sugar for an even longer period.
• Sugar can make urine more acidic which makes the passing of urine painful for people with cystitis.
• Stress can cause the body to release hormones that make blood sugar levels fluctuate which triggers cravings and anxiety.
• Sugar triggers the release of dopamine which is converted to adrenaline and noadrenaline (also called norepinephrine)- these brain chemicals make us feel good, energised and alert. However everyone ought to know by now that it is never a good thing to be dependent or addicted to sugar.
• Fenugreek is a herb that helps regulate sugar levels and reduce sugar cravings for people who have problems metabolising sugars. It can slow down the glucose absorption process.
• Nopal, also known as prickly pear, helps slow down the absorption rate of sugar and fat.
• Banaba is a natural insulin found in plants. It is used to treat diabetes mellitus and can help reduce sugar cravings.
• The artificial sweetener sorbitol found in sugar-free products is not digested in the small intestine. Large enough quantities can cause diarrhea and flatus.
• Maltitol, also known as polyols or sugar alcohols belongs to a class of artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol. It is made by the hydrogenation of maltose. Consuming excessive amounts of maltitol can have a laxative effect.

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