SUGAR

Sugar is good for metabolism and is the first source of energy in our bodies. It is this source
we need for instant energy. We get what we need from fruits and vegetable. Sugars from
fruits, called fructose, are broken down by the body slowly and are converted into glucose
and glycogen, energy sources for the cells. Glycogen is stored in the muscles for quick
energy, while glucose is metabolized by the cells for their energy needs. Unlike table sugar
your body can’t use fructose until it is converted by the liver, usually into glycogen. Sucrose
(table sugar) is instantly available and spikes blood sugar levels, which can overtax an
overworked pancreas.
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Processed sugar comes from sugar beets and sugar cane, with an end product of processed
sugars (white sugar, brown sugar, etc) and molasses, while yet another sugar is produced
from corn, making corn syrup. These sugars are so refined that they are readily digested and
absorbed into our systems, often in greater quantities than our bodies need. They are acidic
in nature and tax our body’s pH maintenance systems.
Food manufacturers like to use corn syrup instead of sugar because it is less expensive. The
problem is it is not as sweet. So they add fructose (fruit sugar) resulting in high fructose corn
syrup. The body can only store so much glycogen, which is produced from fructose. The
rest is stored by the liver as fat. The sucrose from the corn syrup is readily available to the
cells, but unless you are burning it up exercising at the time, it cannot utilize it. Insulin
spikes to process the sugar. If it can’t be immediately used it creates an acid environment
and the body triggers fat storage to equalize the acidic build-up. That is why high fructose
corn syrup is not good for you. High fructose corn syrup is found in many of our processed
foods today. The resulting health epidemic is already here with people consuming large
quantities. Our bodies were never intended to process such high sugar content.