I was inspired to explain, as simply as I can, the complicated concept that is SUGAR.
I was told today that sugar is actually good for you.
Some people might respond by saying that is absolutely not true and others actually believe that is true.
Well the answer to that is it both is and isn't.
But it's not as simple as that.
There are actually different forms of sugar.
Often times we hear the words glucose, fructose, sucrose, corn syrup and we think, at least I thought, "Well all that's just another name for sugar."
Or we think "huh?"
For the next few days we are going to briefly examine the different forms of "sugar" and I'll help point out which forms are good and which are bad.
Specifically, we are going to touch on Fructose, Glucose and Sucrose (also known as Table Sugar).
Today's topic of interest: Fructose
Fructose has been found to be a major contributor to:
• Insulin resistance and obesity
• Elevated blood pressure
•Elevated triglycerides (a type of fat found in your blood which lead to heart disease, obesity, diabetes, underactive thyroid and kidney disease).
•Depletion of vitamins and minerals (low immune system)
• Cardiovascular disease, liver disease, cancer, arthritis and gout.
Now that we're all effectively freaked out, let's explain exactly what fructose really is.
Fructose itself is not bad. After all, we do find it in God's naturally made fruits and veggies.
It's actually the insane amount of fructose that we've all been exposed to in man made foods that is extremely damaging to our bodies.
When you consume fructose via fruits and vegetables, you are also receiving nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Also, when you eat fruits and vegetables you only consume about 15 grams of fructose.
This is nothing compared to the 73 grams of fructose a typical American consumes per day from sweetened drinks alone.
The reason why fructose is so bad for you is because:
•Your liver is the only part of your body that metabolizes fructose, unlike glucose which metabolizes basically everywhere in your body.
•People consume much more fructose in their daily foods which make its damaging qualities more prominant in your body.
•Fructose turns into fatty acids and triglycerides and is stored as fat in your body. Yes, FAT!
•These fatty acids end up causing insulin resistance which eventually cause type 2 diabetes or liver disease.
•Unlike glucose, fructose ends up turning into active glycerol which results in you storing more fat.
•* Fructose interferes with the brain's communication with lepids, a hormone that relays messages from your brain to your body about whether you are hungry or full, which then results in overeating.
I starred that last one because I think it's really important to know that essentially what is happening is that because of fructose, your brain is unable to tell your body that it's full.
You're just going to keep eating and eating and eating and eating all day!!!
This is why you hear so many people saying "I'm always hungry!"
To give you one last example:
You will store less than 1 calorie as fat out of the 120 calories of glucose you consumed.
With fructose however, out of 120 calories consumed, you'll store 49 calories as fat!
What the sugar?!!
Basically, fructose isn't that great.
It won't be damaging if you're only consuming it by eating the proper amounts of fruits and veggies, but all that other stuff it's in.... that stuff's no good!!
That fructose is one furious woman!!
It's in everything guys. Don't kid yourselves.
The point is to make wise choices.
The bottom is better then the top.
It was a bit longer then the last 2 weeks, but it was worth the wait!
Joyful in all things,
Daisy Julia
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