Sugar: Did You Know...
- Global sugar consumption continues to increase by about 2% per annum, and in 2005/06 is expected to reach almost 150 million tons.
- More than 100 countries produce sugar, 74% of which is made from sugar cane grown primarily in the tropical and sub-tropical zones of the southern hemisphere, and the balance from sugar beet which is grown mainly in the temperate zones of the northern hemisphere. Generally, the costs of producing sugar from sugar cane are lower than those in respect of processing sugar beets. Currently 69% of the world’s sugar is consumed in the country of origin whilst the balance is traded on world markets.
- The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and a plethora of processed and packaged foods.
- Since the 1800s, there have been steady technological improvements in the refining process. Refined sugar can be produced by several different processes, most of which include grinding the source plant into a pulp, running the pulp through a series of filters (including charred beef bones) and then evaporating what's left to produce a crystallized residue, which can be powdered or dissolved in water.
- Refined sugar is extremely addictive, in the sense that your body suffers withdrawal symptoms if sugar is removed from your diet. Like any drug, the potency of sugar increases dramatically when it is refined. Drug addiction is defined by a three stage process which includes increased consumption, withdrawal symptoms when a dose isn't available and an urge to relapse even after the drug has been completely removed.

Here
is a list of ways sugar can affect your health:
Source: Nancy Appleton, Ph.D., author of "Lick
The Sugar Habit"
- Sugar
can suppress the immune system.
- Sugar
can upset the body's mineral balance.
- Sugar
can contribute to hyperactivity, anxiety, depression,
concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children.
- Sugar
can produce a significant rise in triglycerides.
- Sugar
can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children.
- Sugar
can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs).
- Sugar
can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs).
- Sugar
can cause hypoglycemia.
- Sugar
contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection.
- Sugar
can cause kidney damage.
- Sugar
can increase the risk of coronary heart disease.
- Sugar
may lead to chromium deficiency.
- Sugar
can cause copper deficiency.
- Sugar
interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium.
- Sugar
can increase fasting levels of blood glucose.
- Sugar
can promote tooth decay.
- Sugar
can produce an acidic stomach.
- Sugar
can raise adrenaline levels in children.
- Sugar
can lead to periodontal disease.
- Sugar
can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey
hair.
- Sugar
can increase total cholesterol.
- Sugar
can contribute to weight gain and obesity.
- High
intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn's disease
and ulcerative colitis.
- Sugar
can contribute to diabetes.
- Sugar
can contribute to osteoporosis.
- Sugar
can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity.
- Sugar
leads to decreased glucose tolerance.
- Sugar
can cause cardiovascular disease.
- Sugar
can increase systolic blood pressure.
- Sugar
causes food allergies.
- Sugar
can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream.
- Sugar
can cause toxemia during pregnancy.
- Sugar
can contribute to eczema in children.
- Sugar
can overstress the pancreas, causing damage.
- Sugar
can cause atherosclerosis.
- Sugar
can compromise the lining of the capillaries.
- Sugar
can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of
the liver.
- Sugar
can increase the amount of fat in the liver.
- Sugar
can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes
in the kidney.
- Sugar
can cause depression.
- Sugar
can increase the body's fluid retention.
- Sugar
can cause hormonal imbalance.
- Sugar
can cause hypertension.
- Sugar
can cause headaches, including migraines.
- Sugar
can cause an increase in delat, alpha and theta brain
waves, which can alter the mind's ability to think clearly.
- Sugar
can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases
risk of blood clots and strokes.
- Sugar
can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar
diets compared to low sugar diets.
- Sugar
increases bacterial fermentation in the colon.