- I moved this post from www.changeyourt.com. This is because I am moving all post on Health category to this website.
- This post is on the effects of sugar on our health.
- One of the main constituent of foods that is loved by young and old is sugar. Many people are inseparable with sugary foods. The other day a friend of mine joined us from Tanzania to undertake his PhD. As a normal orientation routine, he was invited by an Irish friend for a cup of tea. The tea was served without sugar. When we met with him he complained bitterly of how he was served tea without sugar. As a Food Scientists, I understood the benefits of sugarless tea but he didn’t.
- That episode reminded me of those old days, when I was growing up. My parents were peasants, so they could not afford sugar. Only teachers could afford sugar. Sugar was viewed as a status symbol. When we had ‘special visitors’ my mum went to great length of borrowing sugar from neighbours. Sometimes she was lucky, other times she was not. If she was lucky, she was very happy. Wildly as it may sound, only the visitors were served tea with sugar. We were guaranteed tea with sugar only on Christmas. Since then, circumstances have entirely changed. Sugar is one of the worst enemies of human health. As expected of me, my views and thoughts about sugar have followed suit. They have changed and changed wholly. Last year on November (01-11-09), I resolved never to take sugar again. Although sugar has its benefits, its evils outweigh the benefits.
- Dr Nancy Appleton has written four books about the evils of sugar. She has narrowed down to 146 evils of sugar. If you need to read all of them please click the following link http://www.healingcancernaturally.com/sugar-health-effects-risks.html
- Below I have listed some of the 20 evils associated with sugar
- 1.Sugar can cause hypoglycaemia.
- 2.Sugar can cause premature aging.
- 3.Sugar can lead to alcoholism.
- 4.Sugar can cause tooth decay.
- 5.Sugar contributes to obesity.
- 6.Sugar can cause heart disease.
- 7.Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
- 8.Sugar can increase the systolic blood pressure.
- 9.Sugar can contribute to diabetes.
- 10.Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease.
- 11.Sugar can damage the pancreas.
- 12.Sugar can lead to the formation of kidney stones.
- 13.Diets high in sugar can cause free radicals and oxidative stress.
- 14.The rapid absorption of sugar promotes excessive food intake in obese subjects.
- 15.Sugar causes high blood pressure in obese people.
- 16.Sugar can cause liver tumours.
- 17.Sugar can increase the risk of stomach cancer.
- 18.Sweet food items increase the risk of breast cancer.
- 19.Sugar is a risk factor in cancer of the small intestine.
- 20. Sugar may cause laryngeal cancer.
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- Disclaimer: These constitutes my opinions. They should by no means be used as a substitute to approved medical treatment. [email_link]
What will i do, and how i love sugar.my wife never takes sugar but for me am revenging where i drank sugarless tea as a boy.now,where do i start?
Hey,u said it.from this morning am cutting down on stuff rich in sugar e.g cakes.l will also reduce from 3teaspoons of sugar to 1 en will quit gradually.thanks 4 keeping us informd.
Hey,u said it.from this morning am cutting down on stuff rich in sugar e.g cakes.l will also reduce from 3teaspoons of sugar to 1 en will quit gradually.thanks 4 keeping us informd.
Thanx 4 ths.u hav rly changd me coz frm now av 2 observe th amount of sugar
Thanks karimi,i think i will borrow your idea.
Thank you much Sir forthe insight, i dont take tea or coffee at all instead i take about 8 litres of water a day and at times i substitute with sports drinks like Gatorade and sodas but still they have sugar, can you please comment on that Sir?
Spot on! please check this http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091101/thl-artificial-drinks-damage-kidneys-d831572.html
@ Waweru, one step at time as Bessy as suggested. Try what you can. After achieving that, it will give you impetus to move one, within no time you will find yourself celebrating the success.
@ Waweru, one step at time as Bessy as suggested. Try what you can. After achieving that, it will give you impetus to move one, within no time you will find yourself celebrating the success.
@ Bessy, I am glad to hear that. Our health is our wealth.
@ Bessy, I am glad to hear that. Our health is our wealth.
@ Fiona, Thanks. For sure it will pay dividends. The obvious one is saving money.
@ Fiona, Thanks. For sure it will pay dividends. The obvious one is saving money.
@ Frank, you are doing really well, 8 litres of water is no joke. All soft drinks are extremely bad for your helath. However, some companies tout freshly squeezed juices. I support those. In addition, I support buying a juice or smoothie that you can see how it is processed-squeezed from a fruit. This morning I was surprised to see this article on this link http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091101/thl-artificial-drinks-damage-kidneys-d831572.html
@ Frank, you are doing really well, 8 litres of water is no joke. All soft drinks are extremely bad for your helath. However, some companies tout freshly squeezed juices. I support those. In addition, I support buying a juice or smoothie that you can see how it is processed-squeezed from a fruit. This morning I was surprised to see this article on this link http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091101/thl-artificial-drinks-damage-kidneys-d831572.html
I miss the life of our fore fathers. Eating cheap and staying health. I will try kupunguza kwa chai lakini kwa uji….
I have the will but the body is weak
@ kinyua i feel u cousin but put some efforts like am doing here@ Arimi this is a good document
@ kinyua i feel u cousin but put some efforts like am doing here@ Arimi this is a good document
@ Kinyua, sorry to ask again, would mind to tell us ua profession? Preach water and drink water ama aje mzee. Anyway, it requires some effort and will power. Start small and you will manage. Probably by first reducing the amount. Followed by skipping some days, and eventually you can forego completely.
Thanks Frida.
@ Kinyua, sorry to ask again, would mind to tell us ua profession? Preach water and drink water ama aje mzee. Anyway, it requires some effort and will power. Start small and you will manage. Probably by first reducing the amount. Followed by skipping some days, and eventually you can forego completely.
Eh, Daktari! This is very serious! Everything is poisonous… including meat, eggs, salt, sugar, Ugali na hata matunda, until nowadays, we are told milk is very dangerous… tumia low fat… what is all this? Mnataka tukule nini?
I stopped Sugar 4 years ago! my life has changed temendously! I also stopped using fat or eating fried foods, ,my life changed even for the better! its true, sugar, sodas, artificial juices etc are suicidal, please avoid them!we stuff our bodies with alot of foods which our bodies dont need, and when our bodies become rogue and start misusing the useless things we feed it on, we complain of sicknesses! feed your body on only what it needs!
josh these campaigns r lies for sweetner companies to sell their products.a very common marketing strategy 'scare the consumer,give them an alternative'.our grand parents never knew this na they ate even the unprocessed whole sugar called sugar cane en honey which is more dangerous yet they had long and better life. they point is they can.can means may or not.please lets enjoy whats there .i will increase my sugar with another spoon.of course more tea as u know the benefits of tea itself en te role of cafeine in our bodies.lets give dentists en doctors a job t treeat the minor side effects.
@ James, excess of everything is dangerous! eat everything in moderation and you will be fine. It is important not to generalise, it is good to get facts right. For example friends ask me, do u come from Africa? I tell them I come from Kenya which is in Africa. They ask again is Africa in South Africa?. That tells you they never bother to know the facts. They get un-cordinated info from different sources. Take a few moments do a little bit of research even on the net and you will know which kind of meat or milk is bad and why.
@ James, excess of everything is dangerous! eat everything in moderation and you will be fine. It is important not to generalise, it is good to get facts right. For example friends ask me, do u come from Africa? I tell them I come from Kenya which is in Africa. They ask again is Africa in South Africa?. That tells you they never bother to know the facts. They get un-cordinated info from different sources. Take a few moments do a little bit of research even on the net and you will know which kind of meat or milk is bad and why.
@ Kamunde. Actually sweeteners are also very dangerous! There is alot of information to show that. Today there was a finding to show that sweeteners cause kidney failure. Read here http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091101/thl-artificial-drinks-damage-kidneys-d831572.html. It is well known that artificial sweeteners are carcinogens. Normally sugar becomes a problems when consumed in excess. Today you can get all the sugar that your body needs from natural foods that you consume. So no need of adding extra.You have a choice in life. If you find it prudent to increase sugar in your tea and eventually to your body, make it. But my advice is, reduce sugar intake for the betterment of your health.
@ Kamunde. Actually sweeteners are also very dangerous! There is alot of information to show that. Today there was a finding to show that sweeteners cause kidney failure. Read here http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091101/thl-artificial-drinks-damage-kidneys-d831572.html. It is well known that artificial sweeteners are carcinogens. Normally sugar becomes a problems when consumed in excess. Today you can get all the sugar that your body needs from natural foods that you consume. So no need of adding extra.You have a choice in life. If you find it prudent to increase sugar in your tea and eventually to your body, make it. But my advice is, reduce sugar intake for the betterment of your health.
Joshua, This is great education.. God Bless
@ Rucha, Thanks
@ Rucha, Thanks
I like this discussion. I'm constantly telling people to cut on their sugar intake and completely stay away from artificial sweeteners. Gloria, you hit the nail on the head! Thanks Joshua.
@ You are welcome Jackee. We need people like you around. For more check http://www.changeyout.com
@ You are welcome Jackee. We need people like you around. For more check http://www.changeyout.com/
@ You are welcome Jackee. We need people like you around. For more check http://www.changeyout.com/
Great stuff. I totally agree. Sugar is like poison. My dad died of diabetes 8 years ago. The guy loved sugar. Infact he used to take 4 tea spoonfulls of sugar in one cup of tea! From when he was diagnosed of the disease i resolved not to take sugar. I thank God the craving 4 sugary stuff is not there. Infact i get a stomach upset when i take things like ice-cream. I think its out of fear coz i rem wat my dad went thru before his death.
Joshua umesema ukweli. am trying to stop sugar for tha last one month ave nt been using na imenisaidia greatly
@ Polly, I am happy to hearr that. We need people with real life experience like you to raise the awareness
@ Polly, I am happy to hearr that. We need people with real life experience like you to raise the awareness
@ Elda, I am happy you highlighted a true life case. My wife made a serious decision to stop taking based on your comment. Again thanks. We need people like you around.
@ Elda, I am happy you highlighted a true life case. My wife made a serious decision to stop taking based on your comment. Again thanks. We need people like you around.
Natural sugar its the best, tea without sugar its sweet ave tried . lakini si chai, where one cup of milk prepares two jugs
Natural sugar its the best, tea without sugar its sweet ave tried . lakini si chai, where one cup of milk prepares two jugs
@Mutua Mbaya,I like your view Mutua. Have a healthy way of life.
@Mutua Mbaya,I like your view Mutua. Have a healthy way of life.
josh i click wat u mean man. indeed we continue to dig our own graves with spoons n forks
josh i click wat u mean man. indeed we continue to dig our own graves with spoons n forks
@Kyalo, atleast now we know, so that we can reduce the rate of digging.
@Kyalo, atleast now we know, so that we can reduce the rate of digging.
@Kyalo, atleast now we know, so that we can reduce the rate of digging.
fred r u sure sugarcane n honey is more dangerous than ord sugar? i thit these r complex sugars as opposd to simple n therefore actually useful.. josh please xplain. i lyk sugarcane like crazy
fred r u sure sugarcane n honey is more dangerous than ord sugar? i thit these r complex sugars as opposd to simple n therefore actually useful.. josh please xplain. i lyk sugarcane like crazy
While socio-economic indicators have been improving in a number of countries, life expenctancy has been reducing. I now see some of the unexplained causes that most models have previously ignored. The validity and authenticity of this increases when it comes from a experts like u. We need more of this before we perish due to lack of knowledge. Keep up!
While socio-economic indicators have been improving in a number of countries, life expenctancy has been reducing. I now see some of the unexplained causes that most models have previously ignored. The validity and authenticity of this increases when it comes from a experts like u. We need more of this before we perish due to lack of knowledge. Keep up!
@ Kyalo, actually sugarcane is a totally different animal from the processed sugar. Processed sugar is high in calories and is stripped all minerals and vitamins. This makes it unhealthy in that it leads to obesity and other evils. On the other hand, actually sugarcane is safe for diabetes patients. Honey is health in its natural form. Processing will alter its qualities but it still stands out from the crowd of other sugars. Kyalo, I am writing an article about sugar cane and Honey. Hope it will offer some info.
@Japhet, Thanks
@ Kyalo, actually sugarcane is a totally different animal from the processed sugar. Processed sugar is high in calories and is stripped all minerals and vitamins. This makes it unhealthy in that it leads to obesity and other evils. On the other hand, actually sugarcane is safe for diabetes patients. Honey is health in its natural form. Processing will alter its qualities but it still stands out from the crowd of other sugars. Kyalo, I am writing an article about sugar cane and Honey. Hope it will offer some info.
@Japhet, Thanks
@ Kyalo, actually sugarcane is a totally different animal from the processed sugar. Processed sugar is high in calories and is stripped all minerals and vitamins. This makes it unhealthy in that it leads to obesity and other evils. On the other hand, actually sugarcane is safe for diabetes patients. Honey is health in its natural form. Processing will alter its qualities but it still stands out from the crowd of other sugars. Kyalo, I am writing an article about sugar cane and Honey. Hope it will offer some info.
@Japhet, Thanks
@josh. n i can assure u i can't wait 4 th sem.some absolutely nyc wak u r doin ma man. kip th nation inform'd n u shall b greatly rewarded
@josh. n i can assure u i can't wait 4 th sem.some absolutely nyc wak u r doin ma man. kip th nation inform'd n u shall b greatly rewarded
@josh. n i can assure u i can't wait 4 th sem.some absolutely nyc wak u r doin ma man. kip th nation inform'd n u shall b greatly rewarded
Just subscribing to one of your blogs again
Thanks Carol. To limit proxy subscriptions, I request readers to subscribe on the right side bar by entering their email and filling the captcha that pops up.
Here I am AGAIN!
Arimi,
I remember reading somewhere that sugar per se is not unhealthy.What is unhealthy is refined sugar?So, if you were to take sugarcane and then squeeze it,the sugarcane juice is supposed to be good for health as it also has various minerals in it.I will post a link on this when I get it.
Hey! This one, I can sincerely say its makes me shiver! The way sugar is sweet! I always try to avoid sugar but I end up looking for it! I am fighting the fight now, to try STOP taking sugar completely! Arimi you highly educate many of us in here, keep up the good work! God bless.