I’m not suggesting eating sugar is the same as using cocaine or meth. Clearly, it’s not. But it does have a similar effect, albeit a far milder one, on the brain as outlined in this 2019 study and available at Scientific Reports.
If you’re thinking about giving sugar up (or greatly reducing your intake), please take a few minutes and scan this article. I dive into the history, the effects on your body, the many names used to sneak sugar into your food, and some interesting facts and quotes about sugar.
This information might just be what you need to get sugar out of your life for good.
HISTORY OF SUGAR
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- In 8000 AD, sugar is first cultivated in New Guinea. It was first eaten by chewing a raw piece of sugar cane.
- In 10,000 AD Sugar cane makes its way to the Philippines and India.
- India was the first to refine sugar. Evidence of the first sugar mill was found in Indian texts in 100 AD.
- In 400-350 AD, the first recipes using sugar were enjoyed.
- 327 AD, Sugar is introduced to Greeks and Romans that had traveled to India. They took it back home with them, and it was traded to the doctors to use in medicine.
- 650 AD, Marzipan was created in Iran. Sugar was a delicacy only the royals and very wealthy could enjoy.
- 1099 AD, Sugar makes it to Europe, it was brought back by soldiers.
- 1619 AD, Sugar cane comes to America.
- 1751 AD, Sugar cane is first planted in New Orleans.
- 1942 AD, Doctors first announced that sugar should only be consumed in limited quantities.
- 1966 AD, New studies show that sugar is causing an increase in obesity and diabetes, and that sugar consumption should decrease.
- 1980 AD, Fat takes the spotlight from sugar and the low fat diet trend began. This is also the time more sugar is added to foods and the health issues associated with sugar consumption continue to rise.
HEALTH ISSUES CONTRIBUTED TO SUGAR CONSUMPTION
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- Increased risk of heart disease
- Increases risk of developing fatty liver disease
- Increased risk of developing high blood pressure
- Increases inflammation in the body
- Weight gain
- Increases risk of developing Type 2 diabetes
- Increases risk of developing acne
- May increase the rate of skin aging
- May increase risk of developing cancer
- Causes tooth decay
- May increase risk of developing depression
- May be linked to metabolic syndrome
THE OTHER NAMES OF SUGAR
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- Corn syrup
- Rice syrup
- Fructose
- Dextrose
- Sucrose
- Maltose
- Dextrose
- Raw sugarÂ
- Cane sugar
- Brown sugar
- Confectionary sugar
- Fruit nectar
- Fruit juice concentrates
SURPRISING SOURCES OF SUGAR
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- Flavored yogurts
- Ketchup, BBQ sauce, salad dressing and other condiments
- Breakfast cereals (even healthy ones)
- “No sugar” added foods
- Apple sauce
- Crackers
- Premade smoothies
- Alcohol mixers
- Fruit Snacks
- Peanut butter
- Flavored instant oatmeal
- Granola bars
- Cereal bars
- Dried fruits
- Coffee drinks
- Soy and nut milks
- Bread
- Bottled flavored water
- Gummy vitamins
- Iced Teas
- Fruit juice
- Marinades
- Sports drinks
- Protein powder
- Tomato and spaghetti sauces
- Energy bars
- Canned soups
- Canned fruit
- Canned baked beans
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SUGAR
- Was originally considered a medicine.
- 4 grams of sugar (1 tsp) has 16 calories.
- Recommended daily intake of sugar for women is 6 tsp.
- Recommended daily intake for men is 9 tsp.
- Children are recommended to eat less than 6 tsp of sugar daily.
- 1 can of soda contains 10 tsp of sugar.
- Americans consume an average of 130 pounds of sugar every year.
- Sugar used to be considered a spice, not a sweetener.
- Sugar has no nutritional value.
- Brain scans have shown that the brain experiences similar effects on sugar as it does on cocaine.
MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES ON SUGAR
“I try to not eat as much sugar, but it’s so hard in our American diet to do that… It’s hard to completely avoid.”
Tom Brady
“Every diabetic has foods that won’t work for them, sending your blood sugar soaring. Mine are pancakes and soda.”
Nick Jonas
“We don’t need sugar to live, and we don’t need it as a society.”
Dr. Mehmet Oz
“Sugar. Sugar, it just makes my heart race. It makes my moods swing up and down. I don’t like myself on sugar. I like being kind of even. So I quit coffee this year too.”
Gillian Anderson
“Sugar does make people happy, but then you fall off the edge after a few minutes, so I’ve really pretty much cut it out of my diet. Except for cupcakes. I like those.”
David Lynch
NATURAL SUGAR CHOICES
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- Pure Honey
- Agave nectar
- Stevia
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Pure maple syrup
HOW YOU WILL FEEL WHEN YOU GET SUGAR OUT OF YOUR BODY
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- You have an increase in mental sharpness
- Your risk of developing diabetes decreases
- You will lose weight
- You will feel happier
- Your skin will improve
- Your immune system will improve
- Your skin won’t age as fast
- Your breath will improve
- Your teeth will be healthier
- Your sleep will improve
Giving up sugar can be difficult, but the benefits for doing it, are definitely worth it. You can do it, stay strong!
