sugar

Nine kinds of sugars in food

Mush Fitness, Health , ,

I recently attended a sugar detox workshop by a friend who is a health coach. One of the many things I learnt was that sugar goes by many different names on food labels:

  1. IMG_0349Corn syrup
  2. Dextrose
  3. Fructose
  4. Fruit juice concentrates
  5. High-fructose corn syrup
  6. Honey
  7. Sucrose
  8. Sugar
  9. Syrup

If any of the above appears in the ingredients list of your favourite food or beverage, then you are consuming sugar. Even though some sugars are less harmful than others, they are all high-calorie and must be avoided if you are concerned about weight management.

[Photo showing the amounts of sugar in common junk]

 

How Much Sugar Are You Consuming?

Mush Health , ,

0910 sugarWe all know that most sugar is bad for us. Here are some of the harmful affects of sugar on our body:

  • Sugar can suppress the immune system.
  • Sugar can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness.
  • Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
  • Sugar can cause kidney damage.
  • Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
  • Sugar can promote tooth decay.
  • Sugar can produce an acidic stomach.
  • Sugar can increase total cholesterol.
  • Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
  • Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance.
  • Sugar can cause hypertension.
  • Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines.

Avoiding sugar is not easy because it is processed in so many foods we eat. These foods are not just sweets; sugar in large quantities can be found in “non-sweets” products. Here’s the approximate sugar content of popular foods Continue reading →