Are You Afraid of Sugar?
By Tom Herrin
With all of the information around that warns us about consuming too much sugar, many of us have made the decision to shy away from it completely. It is fairly certain that many children take in far more sugar than is healthy for them. Not only can it lead to obesity, but it can also wreak havoc on their teeth. I remember reading an article some 40-plus years ago that made the point that if sugar was anything but sugar, it might be a prohibited substance because of the threat to health. As a result of some of this, lots of individuals have gone for sugar-free products.
Artificial Sweeteners
I am always interested in the history of sugar substitutes. The first successful one was probably saccharine. It was around for a long time. I remember having it when I was really young. I didn't care for it. As research moved along, artificial sweeteners were developed that tasted much more like sugar. They still don't always have the best reputation. Many people have reported health issues related to some of these sweeteners, but they can be found in a large number of products available today.
Why Use a Substitute?
For the most part, sugar substitutes were developed for use by diabetics. Modern technology has been able to make progress by leaps and bounds when it comes to managing diabetes. At one time, it was virtually a death sentence. It can generally be kept in check much easier by those who are committed to doing so. These are the individuals who may have the greatest need for these sweeteners. While many of us use them in a diet plan, it is not really the target for use.
Sugar Should Be Used With Discretion
If we are not diabetic, we can use sugar, but we must have some discipline about it. We must avoid going on binges in which we take in large amounts of sugar. We need to set limits for ourselves. Sugar itself does not have all that many calories. The biggest problem is usually eating too much. We also need to be certain to clean our teeth afterwards so that we don't leave a residue. Much of the bacteria that cause decay feeds on sugar. As a result, the formula for good health is actually pretty simple.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lone Tree, Colo.