Sugar Pop Quiz

1. How much sugar is in a regular can of soda?
30 grams
40 grams
50 grams
100 grams



2. True or False: White sugar is unhealthy because it suppresses the immune system.

3. White sugar is found in which of the following foods considered non-sweet:
Whole grain bread
Ketchup
Hot sauce
Peanut butter

ANSWERS:

1. There is 40 grams of sugar in a can of soda. We should have only 5 grams of sugar in our entire bloodstream at any given time. All 40 grams of sugar is easily digested and dumped into the blood stream, causing an increase and sustained level of insulin in the blood, causing the body to store fat, leading to crisis in the body of having to process too much sugar at once.

Switch to healthier drinks such as water, buko juice/ coconut water, and natural fruit and vegetable juices lower in sugar.

2. White sugar is bad for you, not only because it depresses the immune system, but also because
-It can cause kidney damage
-Increases heart disease
-Causes the body to store fat, increasing obesity
-Makes blood sticky, increasing the risk of blood clots and stroke
-Depletes the body of minerals
-Depression, hyperactivity, difficulty in concentrating
-Speeds aging process

What kinds of sugars are better for you? Sugars with a lower glycemic index reduce the rate at which the body absorbs sugar. The less processed, the better. For example, agave nectar, raw honey, coconut palm sugar, apple juice have a lower glycemic index (40 and below) as compared to white sugar, soda, corn syrup, refined honey, high fructose corn syrup (70-87).

Artificial sweeteners can be either poisons, laxatives, or have an aftertaste. Most labortory made artificial sweeteners are poisons, such as aspartamine, sucralose, with brands such as Splenda, Sweet-n-Low, and Equal. Artificial sweeteners derived from plants are generally better such as malitol and xylitol, which are sugar alcohols occurring naturally in some fruit and tastes like sucralose. These sugar alcohols do not raise the blood sugar and are safe to use, but it has a laxative effect when too much is ingested.

My favorite sugar substitite is stevia from the brand Stevita, which has the most pleasant of all the stevia products on the market. Stevia comes from a plant, and when used fresh, has the most sugar-like taste. Because it is not a sugar, it has zero calories and does not raise the blood sugar, making it safe for diabetics. It is commonly used in Japan as a sweetener. It does have an after taste, so I usually sweeten 50% with stevia and 50% with an alternative sugar source such as agave or coconut sugar. If I had access to fresh stevia, I might juice it and use it as my sole sugar source.


3. White sugar can be found in whole grain bread, ketchup, hot sauce, peanut butter, and among other foods that are not considered sweet. White sugar is unhealthy for the body because it leads to obesity, diabetes, and suppressed immunity.

It is important to read the ingredients on foods you purchase. White sugar is found in many food items. You will be surprised at so many other unhealthy ingredients found in everyday foods. Even foods at health food stores may be loaded with white sugar and bad fats. Reading the labels will help you determine what is healthy for you, and puts you in control of your health.