WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE EAT PROCESSED SUGARS
Sugar, in all its forms, is a simple carbohydrate that the body converts into glucose and uses for energy. But its effect on our health and wellbeing will depend on whether you're eating it in its natural state, or as a refined version.
Refined sugar typically comes in the form of sucrose, which is a highly processed product of either sugar cane or sugar beet. During this refining process the molasses ( ironically the healthy part of the plant ) is removed. The remaining syrup is then concentrated by boiling and then dried in hot air to form the white crystals we all recognise.
So, what is processed sugar doing to your health?
These refined forms of carbohydrate are converted extremely quickly by the body into glucose. This gives an instant energy boost, but once metabolised, an energy slump just as quickly. This will then create a craving for more instant energy, and so the roller coaster begins. This constant up and down in energy levels will eventually leave you feeling permanently fatigued.
All of the cells in our body need sugar to create energy, however sugar cannot enter most of our cells directly. This is where insulin comes in. A hormone made in the pancreas, insulin attaches itself to cells and signals them to absorb this sugar from our bloodstream. But if there is more sugar than needed the insulin will deposit the excess into the liver where it is stored as glycogen. But the liver only has so much storage room and too much will cause the liver to expand. Once it has reached capacity it will turn the excess glycogen into fatty acids, to be picked up again by insulin and carried to the inactive parts of our body, such as our thighs, bottom and around abdominal organs, therefore causing obesity and possible cardio vascular disease. Eventually this can result in non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
In todays society we are over using processed sugars, including those used in pre prepared and convenience foods. This causes the pancreas to overwork producing insulin, and is a leading cause of the Type 2 diabetic epidemic we are currently seeing.
This overconsumption of processed sugars is now being linked to brain health issues such as memory and learning disorders, depression and anxiety. When we eat sugar, the brain releases opioids and dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, and a key part of the "reward circuit" associated with addictive behaviour. As we produce more and more artificial highs, the brain reduces its own production of neurotransmitters, causing cravings and addiction. Many studies have shown sugar can be even more addictive then cocaine!
This overconsumption also has its effect on our gut health. Our bad bacteria feed on this sugar, and can quickly overwhelm our good bacteria. It is now well known that our good gut bacteria are responsible for the production of up to 90% of our serotonin (the feel good hormone). Altered levels of this gut serotonin have also been linked to diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, cardio vascular disease and osteoporosis.
Sugar is needed in the body, and without it we are unable to create the energy we need. But this need is more than met if we can stick to a fresh, natural diet that includes fruit and vegetables, and avoid the processed white and grey substances. Foods with natural sugars do have a very important role to play in providing us with essential nutrients and phytochemical that help to keep us healthy and disease free.