HARMFUL EFFECT OF WHITE SUGAR

HARMFUL EFFECT OF WHITE SUGAR

Before I explain the harmful effects of white sugar, I would like first to introduce the lesson by giving out a brief concept about white sugar. Read also on the concept of sugar and carbohydrates

By definition white sugar is that sugar that is devoid of any minerals, Vitamins, and fibers from the refining process. White sugar is also known as cane sugar or refined sugar or table sugar. White sugar caries the empty calorie of energy due to which has many effects on the body of a human beings as explained below:

Ø  White sugar hinders starch digestion

By use of various sugars in combination with various carbohydrates, salivary digestion gets bypassed. As saliva is an agent of supreme importance in digestion of carbohydrates food and flow of saliva is normally aroused by mastication.by swallowing a large quantity of sugar, the digestive action of sugar is bypassed.

Ø  White sugar cause tooth decay

Teeth get decayed due to excessive consumption of white sugar and sweets because sugar particles which get stuck in teeth, encourage the growth of bacteria which act upon sugar and produce acid that robs the enamel of teeth.

Ø  Excess consumption of white sugar affect the pancreas and cause diabetes

The eating of white sugar in large amounts may place a burden on the pancreas which secrets a hormone called insulin which converts glucose into energy to be used as fuel. Overworking of the pancreas as a result of overconsumption of white sugar, impair its function.  The impaired pancreas will lose its ability to burn sugar into the form that can be utilized by body cells, this condition turns into a disease called diabetes.

Ø  White sugar causes sodium loss from the body leading to bone decay

Eating sugar changes the calcium/phosphorus level in the blood which usually the calcium going up and phosphorus going down and therefore upsets homeostasis of the body. Calcium/phosphorus ratio remains disturbed for as long as 48 hours after the ingestion of sugar and therefore people remain out of homeostasis for a long period of time after consuming white sugars. Because of this imbalance calcium is not absorbed into the body. All we know that calcium is highly needed in the body of human beings to strengthen our bone and prevent bone decay.

Ø  White sugar stimulates the body and increases sympathetic arousal

A rise in blood sugar level immediately after eating sugar gives us a feeling of increased energy and leads to heightened arousal by increased sympathetic activity. So after consuming white sugar we may notice an increase in heart rate, as a slight lift in blood pressure, an increase in respiratory rate and in fact the entire tone of the Autonomic Nervous System. Since all of these changes in the body’s biochemistry are not accompanied by corresponding body activity so as to dissipate this energy. That is why white sugar is not good for a person suffering from anaemia

Ø  White sugar depletes body energy

Thinking that white sugar is a vital source of energy, people consume more and more in the belief that they are going to get more and more energy. But this is actually not true due to the two reasons below:

1)      The thiamine deficiency in the sugar, do not allow completion of carbohydrate metabolism and energy fails to be released properly, and the results maybe rather fatigue and less energy.

2)      Sugar high is often followed by a sugar low because of the immediate rush of insulin when the blood sugar sudden rises and this makes the sugar level below normal. The result is called hypoglycemia.

Ø  White sugar cause constipation

Since white sugar has no fiber, it increases the problem of constipation by not helping in bowel movement.

                 Ø  White sugar increases the acidity of the blood

Sugar is an acidic food and increase, the acidity of the blood which can lead to problem-related to acidity.

Ø   White sugar increase uric acid

A large consumption of white sugar increases the amount of uric acid in the blood which can lead to gout and high blood pressure.

Some of common eatable food and drinks containing white sugar

1	Soft drinks
2	Sweetened milk and milk product
3	Yogurt
4	Milkshake, ice-cream shake
5	Squashes
6	Biscuits
7	Chocolates, candy
8	Tea, coffee
9	Canned fruits
10	Cakes

Ø  White sugar affects heart

A prolonged intake of white sugar to the body hinders the cardiac muscle of the heart to function properly. Hindered function of cardiac muscles will impair the functions of the heart. Thiamine deficiency in the white sugar, cause degeneration in the heart muscles and tendency to extravascular fluid collections and thus results in a terminal cardiac standstill. Read also on the harmful effects of excess consumption of coffee.

 Better substitutes of white sugar

1)      Molasses: it is the name of the liquid left after the sugar has been extracted from the cane sugar. Molasses still contain about 30% of sugar which could not be separated by crystallization. Molasses has all the nutrients minerals and trace elements. It is also reached in vitamin B1, B2, and B6. Also, molasses are a good treatment of stomach ulcers. It also contains essential nutrients for the growth of breasts and delay menopause for women.

2)      Brown sugar: this is obtained by heating sugar cane juice to a thick paste and then dried. It contains all nutrients and minerals and vitamins of sugar cane juice.

3)      Complex carbohydrates: try to take most carbohydrates in complex form like starch because glucose resulting from the breakdown of starch is produced slowly as the starch is digested pure sugar, on the other hand, rushes into the bloodstream wholesale causing the blood glucose level to shout up rapidly and creating a situation of a sugar high. On the other hand, sugars that are converted from the starch give the most sparing upon the vitamin manufactured in the intestine.

4)      Sugar cane juice: sugar cane juice contains vitamin B and C and minerals like calcium phosphorus and iron which are devoid in white sugar from the refining process.

5)      Honey: honey contains nearly 75% sugar out of which 41% is fructose and 34% is glucose. Also, it contains vitamin A, B and C and trace minerals like Na, K, P, Cl , and Fe. All content of honey provides the following benefit to the body.

                        i.            It prevents coughing, cold and fever by purifying blood

                        ii.            It strengthens the heart

                       iii.            It’s alkaline in nature help to prevent flatulence and stomach acidity.

                       iv.            It balances the blood pressure in our bodies.

Read also on classification of carbohydrates