Is refined sugar bad for you?

20 years ago I studied to become a fitness instructor. During these studies I attended many lectures. During a lecture on nutrition we were told that although too much refined sugar is bad for you, It is not as bad as eating fat (any type of fat.) How things have changed. It has now been discovered that some fats are in fact good for you and any refined sugar is very bad.

It's believed that In the 1960s, the sugar industry funded research that downplayed the risks of sugar and highlighted the hazards of fat.
I don't know if this is true or not? A mega rich industry putting finance above the health of the public. hmmm, surely not!
Also in the 1960's the sugar industry marketed sugar as a diet tool. If they weren't lying than they had some pretty stupid scientists working for them. Or maybe there is some truth in what they are saying? maybe they have just twisted the truth and not given the whole truth. I'll let you decide. Here is one of their adds:

Advertisement in larger writing:

Everyone knows sugar contains calories. So it's hard to think of sugar as a big help in weight control, yet that's exactly what sugar can be. When your blood sugar level is low, your appestat is turned up and you're hungry. (Probably tired, too. Just a small amount of sugar, in a soft drink, candy, coffee, or tea, will turn your appestat down. Then you're not so apt to overeat, and overeating is really what makes you fat. In addition to helping with weight control, sugar does other good things. For one, it gives you quick energy. Sugar is all energy, and is taken into your blood stream faster than any other food. So when sugar turns your appestat "off," you might say it " turns you on." Artificial sweeteners don't affect your appestat and have no energy value. Also, sugar tastes good, and so do foods made with sugar. Stay with sugar. Sugar's got what it takes! Only 18 calories per teaspoon, and it's all energy.

Another advertisement

Advertisement in larger writing:

Yes! only 18 calories per teaspoon in Domino Pure Cane Sugar, and they're all quick energy calories... energy your body needs every day. and remember, it's a scientific fact that sugar gives you energy faster than any other food. So... while you hold down your weight, lift up your energy with Domino Sugar!

"Oh, If only it were true" I don't know about anyone else but if I consume foods containing sugar (even only a little), I go into a binge eating frenzy. Often this frenzy will last days, sometimes weeks. During this time, I find myself tired and suffering from brain fog. It usually takes me several days without sugar before I start to feel better.

I seriously believe that many health problems are caused by eating refined sugar. Many medical experts also believe this to be true.

Here is a list of some health problems :

1. Diabetes
2. Obesity
3. Heart disease
4. tooth decay
5. High cholesterol
6. Hypertension (high blood pressure)
7. chronic fatigue syndrome

Symptoms that could be related to sugar:

1. frequent urination
2. Drowsiness
3. Nausea
4. Extreme thirst
5. Blurring of the vision
6. Fast heartbeat
7. Anxiety and depression
8. Dizziness
9. tiredness
10. Irritability
11. hyperactivity
12. brain fog
13. headaches
14. over eating
15. anger
16. pimples and acne

I am a strong believer that refined sugar is very bad for you. I don't need to research this, I don't need a medical expert to tell me this. I know this from my own experience. I know how bad I feel after eating sugar and I know how addictive it can be. I remember reading somewhere that sugar is more addictive than cocaine. I don't doubt this at all.
A sugar addict is like a drug addict. The withdrawal symptoms are very much like the ones which drug addicts suffer from. Tiredness, headaches, overeating, depression and anger.
Living in a society where you are surrounded by foods containing refined sugar makes breaking the addiction so much harder. Everywhere you go you will see and smell foods containing sugar.

I know I will continue to eat sugar, because I'm a sugar addict. Occasionally I go on the wagon. When I do, I lose weight, I have energy and I feel great. But then sugar always seems to find its way back into my life. A celebration will come along, or someone will ask me out for dinner, or offer me a piece of cake. One time I even had a gym instructor insisted I eat a piece of chocolate. She wouldn't take no for an answer. Believe me saying "no!" is very hard. If only people would support those of us that try to give up sugar. Drug addicts, alcoholics and even folk giving up cigarettes seem to get more support than we do. Maybe there is support out there, I just haven't found it.

OK!, even though I don't practice what I preach, I'm gonna say it anyway. "Don't eat refined sugar" "live a long and healthy life by avoiding sugar" because refined sugar is bad for you. That's my opinion anyway!