When we consume sugars that are refined (also know as simple) carbohydrates, they are digested and broken down in the stomach. As these sugars are already highly refined, they break down and pass through the digestive system rapidly and enter the blood stream quickly. This causes a rapid peak in blood glucose and consequently causes a peak in energy. In healthy people, insulin will be excreted from the pancreas to stabilise the blood sugar levels, causing your blood sugar levels to drop, and fast. This rapid drop in blood sugar levels causes the adrenal glands to secrete adrenalin in an attempt to boost the blood sugar levels back up.
As a result of this influx of adrenaline, the blood sugar level ends up going up and down like a roller coaster ride. When free glucose enters the blood stream and there is no immediate use it is commonly removed from the blood system and stored, as FAT. These simple sugars are not just interfering with our blood sugars and waist lines, they may have a range of negative effects on other body systems, here are some potential areas that may be affected: # Increase fat deposition # Depresses the immune system # Aggravate asthma, move mood swings, provokes personality changes, mental illness,anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties and arthritis. # Sugar may cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children. # Nutritional deficiencies such as chromium, copper calcium and magnesium. # Sugar may increase fasting levels of blood glucose, a decrease in insulin sensitivity and to decreased glucose tolerance. # Sugar may speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair. # Sugar may cause cardiovascular disease by increasing triglycerides and increase harmful LDL cholesterol and decreasing good HDL cholesterol and increase systolicblood pressure. # Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes. # Sugar may cause food allergies and can cause free radical damage. # Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy. # Sugar has been linked to causing depression, fluid retention, hormonal imbalance, hypertension, headaches, including migraines, atherosclerosis, enlarged liver including fatty liver, Crohns' disease, ulcerative colitis, diabetes osteoporosis, hypoglycaemia, eczema, tooth decay, kidney and pancreatic damage, # Sugar can cause an increase in delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly. # Sugar does increase insulin responses # Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.
Sugar has been used commonly through processed and packaged foods to increase the sweet flavour, therefore making the foods more desirable to consume. This means that sugar can go by many other names and may not be simply labeled as sugar on a packet, here are some other names to look out for:
Barley malt, Beet sugar,Brown sugar, Buttered syrup, Cane-juice crystals, Cane sugar, Caramel, Carob syrup, coke sugar, Corn syrup, Corn syrup solids, Date sugar, Demerara Sugar, Dextran, Dextrose, Diatase, Diastatic malt, Ethyl maltol, Free Flowing Brown Sugars, Fructose, Fruit juice, Fruit juice concentrate Galactose, Glucose, Glucose solids, Golden sugar/Golden syrup, Grape sugar, High-fructose corn syrup, Honey, Invert sugar, Lactose, Malt, Malt syrup, Maltodextrin, Maltose, Mannitol, Molasses, Maple syrup, Muscovado or Barbados Sugar, Panocha, Powdered or confectioners sugar, Raw sugar, Refiners syrup Rice Syrup, Sorbitol, Sorghum syrup, Sucrose, Sugar, Sugar (granulated), Treacle, Turbinado sugar, Yellow sugar