The bitter truth about sugar

"In large amounts, sugar is known to trigger weight gain, destroy the health of our teeth and gums, cause energy slumps, affect our immune system and indirectly lead to diabetes," said Victoria.

Photo by Getty Images Aug 3, 2012

The bitter truth about sugar

Is sugar really as sweet as you think? Sydney-based naturopath Victoria O'Sullivan explains why sugar is a health-damaging "anti-nutrient" with addictive properties.

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13 Comments

  1. Karen11:43am Wednesday 05th September 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    Sugar causes the body to create insulin to combat it, and the more you eat, the more insulin is produced. If you don't burn off all that insulin, it is stored as energy for later, but if there is no later, and you keep eating sugar, then you wind up with weight gain, and eventually insulin resistance, where the body can't produce the insulin to combat the sugar, and then you're in real trouble. The body treats most sugars the same, but white refined sugar is the worst. Fruit sugars, milk sugars, honey, it's all sugar and gets the insulin reaction. I have simplified this a fair bit, but it is correct. One of my (many) diet counsellors told us to go 5 hours between meals, and the first bite when breaking that 'fast' must be a protein, which has the least amount of sugars, and the insulin produced in reaction is therefore much reduced. It does work. Dr Atkins was onto it in the 70s. Basically, don't eat sweets, and you can get by without even substitutes. Who wants to eat chemicals? Read a book called "Sugar Blues" for a real horror story.

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  2. A La Feral06:51am Monday 03rd September 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    Is a sugar tax/ban on the horizon I wonder? There must have been experts that had this information 30 years ago at least so why the brouhaha now? I was informed that in Britain during the 2nd World War, the masses were advised that milk was not good for you (could even make you fat) but post war the slogan was 'Drinka Pinta Milka Day'.

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  3. Michael01:58pm Friday 31st August 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    #$%$.All beer contains sugar!!!!!

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  4. June McKelvie03:41pm Sunday 26th August 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    If sugar is bad, what about sugar substitutes.

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  5. Robyn11:38am Sunday 26th August 2012 ESTReport Abuse

    SUGAR: I read lately that a daily intake should be (?) between 60gms and 90gms. One level teaspoon is supposed to hold 5gms. Take it from there! Then there are fruit with their sugar content. This does mention that delictable chocolate.

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