“A spoonful of sugar” – We all remember this little tune from Mary Poppins. It sounds so “sweet” and innocent. However, sugar couldn’t be any further from innocence. We have heard that obesity is an epidemic in the United States. What many of us do not realize, however, is how many different ways our diet contributes to obesity and other health problems.
Sugar – the Stealthy Killer
Few of us sit around eating spoonfuls of sugar on a daily basis, at least not consciously. However, forms of sugar are present in almost every type of food in the American diet. It is not in the form of pure cane sugar. Instead, it lurks in the form of high fructose corn syrup, which is cheaper for food manufacturers and more damaging to your health.
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is found in many processed foods, from ketchup to fruit juices to infant formula. It is more damaging to the body because it goes directly to the liver and transforms into fat. High amounts of fat in the liver can result in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an early indicator of sclerosis of the liver.
Large sugar consumption has also been associated with cancer. Cancer cells love sugar-laden diets and pull from fermenting glucose, which is sugar, as an energy source.
A diet that does not contain processed foods is the best approach to healthy eating. Eating organic whole foods will go a long way to making you feel better overall and will help you naturally lose weight and may even help you avoid getting cancer. So put down that Big Mac, lose the soda, throw out the cookies and start munching on healthier alternatives, like green leafy veggies, lean meats, and whole grains. Plus, stevia makes a great natural sweetener, so you don’t have to give up all sweets!
– Susan Patterson