How production and consumption of sugar affect your health

Sugar is one of life's greatest indulgences, it has been consumed throughout the centuries in various forms such as fruit and honey. However, within this modern age, sugar is readily available and widely consumed. The growing popularity of soft drinks, fast food, and snacks that typically contain significant amounts of added sugar the question should be asked – how much added sugar do I consume, how much should I consume, and what are the implications of consuming too much?

We live today in a society where sugar is commonly accepted and eaten in large quantities. Larger in fact, than ever before in the history of the human race. But what effect is this having on us—our weight and our health? Unfortunately a gravely negative effect on all parts of our physical, mental and emotional well-being, yet so few of us take a stand to do anything about it. In this essay, I will share with you why any sugar consumption must be taken seriously if we wish to increase, rather than decrease the quality of our health, and life.

I personally refer to these categories as follows: “chemical sweeteners“, referring to the typical white/brown sugar and “toxic sweeteners“, referring to the Aspartame, Sucralose, etc. I think it is time we call them for what they really are, and not kid ourselves any longer about their chemical makeup. But anyway, back to the sugar point.

Sugar is a drug that has no nutritional value and is an addictive chemical.
Hence, no wonder that today we have a nation that is addicted to sugar! In fact many experts have come forth, comparing sugar to cocaine, when it comes to its effects on our brain.

However, with sugar being in most foods today as one of the top five ingredients, it is time we wake up to the bitter truth about sugar, how it harms our body and plays a leading role in almost every disease and health condition out there.

And what was the effect of this for me? Along with all other aspects of my optimal nutrition, eliminating sugar has made me feel even more amazing, but the biggest area I noticed a huge change in, were cravings. Detoxing from sugar, meant no more cravings of any kind where sweets were concerned. I was no longer a slave to anything “sweet” – true freedom at last!