The Sugar Buzz

You may have heard or seen the recent buzz about sugar on the internet and in news reports.  It's pretty interesting and the science behind it can be compelling. Robert Lustig, MD, Laura Schmidt, PhD, MSW, MPH, and Claire Brindis, DPH, research colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), argue in the February 2, 2012 issue of Nature ("Public health: The toxic truth about sugar", 482, 27–29) that sugar’s potential for abuse, coupled with its toxicity and pervasiveness in the Western diet, make it a primary culprit of this worldwide health crisis.  


They contend that the health hazards associated with sugar consumption are similar to those of alcohol.  In case you have forgotten, alcohol is made by distilling sugar.   Some researchers have already pointed out that worldwide consumption of sugar has tripled during the past 50 years, therefore possibly leading to an “obesity epidemic”.  For example, take a look at the increase of sugar in coke:

• The original Coke bottle in 1915 contained only 6.5 ounces of liquid.  Assuming someone consumed 1 bottle per day, that would be equivalent to eating 8 pounds of sugar per year with an assumed rate of 3,500 calories per pound   If you don't want to do the math, that's 28,000 calories per year.  Want to exercise that off with me?
• In 1955, the bottle size was upped to 10 ounces, which translates to 13 pounds per year under the same assumptions.
• In 1960, the 12 ounce can of Coke can was introduced in 1960 and it translates into the consuption of 16 pounds of sugar per year if you only drink one Coke a day.
• In 1992, the 20 ounce plastic bottle was introduced, which translates to 26 pounds of sugar per year (91,000 calories per year) .
• A supersize fountain drink with 44 ounces would translate into 57 pounds per year.   The next time you are in a grocery store count 11+, 5 pound bags of sugar, and then think about eating that much in a year . . . yuck!

Unfortunately obesity is just one possible symptom of sugar’s toxicity, which goes further than simply being high in calories.  To find out the other ways that sugar affects for body take a look at Dr. Lustig's video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffoOeW5wZ9s&feature=player_embedded&noredirect=1 it is really worth the 5 minute investment of your time.

If you want to know more, after viewing the YouTube video, then get a copy of Samantha Quinn's book, The Real Truth About Sugar: Dr. Robert Lustig's "Sugar: The Bitter Truth" (Volume 1).  It is available for about $11 (paper back, or a free Kindle edition from Amazon.  I'm sure that you can also find it at Barnes & Noble and most other book sellers.  this book provides a full summary and analysis of Dr, Lustig's video.  Friends, this really is a must read!