Sugar, Sweet but Dangerous

Sugar has one of the worst reputations when it comes to health. Sugar occurs naturally in all foods that contain carbohydrates, such as fruits and vegetables, grains, and dairy.

Since our body digests these foods slowly, the Sugar in them offers a steady supply of energy to our cells.

A high intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains also has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers.

However, problems occur when you consume too much added Sugar, that is, Sugar that food manufacturers add to products to increase flavour or extend shelf life.

Most of these can come in different names as listed below:

You have 61 names. Agave nectar, Barbados Sugar, Barley malt, Barley malt syrup, Beet Sugar, Brown Sugar, Buttered syrup, Cane juice, Cane juice crystals, Cane Sugar, Caramel, Carob syrup, Castor Sugar, Coconut palm Sugar, Coconut Sugar, Confectioner’s Sugar, Corn sweetener, Corn syrup, Corn syrup solids, Date Sugar, Dehydrated cane juice, Demerara Sugar, Dextrin, Dextrose, Evaporated cane juice, Free-flowing brown Sugars, Fructose, Fruit juice, Fruit juice concentrate, Glucose, Glucose solids, Golden Sugar, Golden syrup, Grape Sugar, HFCS (High-Fructose Corn Syrup), Honey, Icing Sugar, Invert Sugar, Malt syrup, Maltodextrin, Maltol, Maltose, Mannose, Maple syrup, Molasses, Muscovado, Palm Sugar, Panocha, Powdered Sugar, Raw Sugar, Refiner’s syrup, Rice syrup, Saccharose, Sorghum Syrup, Sucrose, Sugar (granulated), Sweet Sorghum Syrup, Treacle, Turbinado Sugar, Yellow Sugar.

So, tell Sugar…

We have been together for some time now and look, it started out as fun don’t get me wrong, I got a real buzz when you were around.

But I always felt sad soon after you left and then really sleepy. Then when you returned, I felt that buzz again and so the cycle went. As I have taken stock of our relationship, I realize now that there has been a downside for me. This has been a two-way deal, yes that is true. There was some kind of value exchange yes, that is also true. As time went by, I realized you take a lot more than you give. Other realizations have been more alarming.

I found it disturbing when upon discovering that you have more health hazards than the pleasure derived from you. I thought I knew you but I was wrong.

I have come to learn that our relationship is toxic, literally. Thinking back, you must have first got your hooks into me when I was just a child. How could I resist, you were always wrapped in bright colours, you came with a sweetness and the never-ending promise of fun.

Well, it isn’t fun anymore. Not for me and not for the many others you have signed up for lifelong contracts. As of today, our contract is null and void. I ask you to leave and perhaps go off into the wildness alone where you belong.

If during your travels, you pass unsuspecting people, please don’t make eye contact. Just keep your head down and keep moving. You have done enough damage already.

Now I must break up with you. I don’t begrudge you actually, for our time spent together. It’s my fault, I should not have kept you around all these years. So long my old friend, I wish you well and that someday you find a usefulness and meaning to this life.

Goodbye Sugar.