THE BITTER-SWEETNESS OF SUGAR

In September of 2012 the United Nations declared that, for the first time in human history, chronic non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes pose a greater health burden worldwide than do infectious diseases (Covid-19, Flu, Pneumonia), contributing to more than 35 million deaths annually.

This is not just a problem of the developed world. Every country that has adopted the Western diet — one dominated by low-cost, highly processed food, typically high in sugars — has witnessed rising rates of obesity and related diseases. There are now 30% more people who are obese than who are undernourished.

In the past 50 years, sugar consumption has tripled worldwide. And it’s addictive nature makes it easy for us to keep consuming. Read on to discover the implications it has for yours, and your family’s health.

SUGAR DOESN’T SEEM TOO SWEET NOW...

Recent scientific findings are shaking up our understanding of sugar. It's not just about the calories anymore; we're learning that fructose, a key component of sugar, can actually wreak havoc on our livers and set the stage for serious, long-term health issues. While a little sweetness here and there might not seem like a big deal, going overboard can spell trouble down the line. Drawing comparisons to how we regulate alcohol, it's becoming clear that sugar needs some rules too. It's everywhere, lurking in processed foods and making it tough for us to make healthy choices. And when we indulge too much, it's not just our waistlines that suffer – it's our overall health. From high blood pressure to diabetes to even cognitive decline, sugar's effects are far-reaching. Add in its addictive nature and the hefty financial burden it places on our healthcare system and national security, and it's clear that we need to take action to rein in our sugar consumption.

Sugar content of common sweet foods that Australian’s buy...

1 teaspoon is equal to 4 grams of sugar

A REAL LIFE STORY ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SUGAR...

Tommy Marinoff used to live off pizza, burgers and Coke.

Marinoff never read the labels on the beverages he consumed. Good nutrition wasn’t on his list of priorities two years ago when he was attending College.

At 5 foot 3 and 51kg., he wasn’t overweight, so he wasn’t concerned with consuming too much sugar. It was “always just so easy,” he said, to get his hands on sodas and sports drinks.

Everything changed 2 years later in October, when Marinoff started experiencing unusual symptoms: frequent thirst, constant urination, muscle weakness, unexplained weight loss. He ignored the symptoms for a month before he saw a doctor. Marinoff weighed just 100 lb. when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that limits or prevents the body’s production of insulin. While Type 1 diabetes is considered a genetic disease, Marinoff’s doctor told him he believed a simple cold caused his autoimmune response. With Marinoff’s body no longer able to produce insulin, he was unable to regulate blood-sugar levels. When he was diagnosed, his blood sugar was measured at 900 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Doctors told him normal blood-sugar levels range between 80 and 120 mg/dL. Marinoff said he felt lucky to be alive at that moment. “Nine hundred (mg/dL) is unheard of. The normal couch potato who doesn’t work out, there’s no way he would be able to live with a blood-sugar (level) that high. You can go into a diabetic coma if you’re at 600 (mg/dL),” Marinoff said. For the first time in his life, Marinoff knew it was time to start learning about the sugar he was consuming on a daily basis. One of the first things he learned was he’d have to give up sodas and ultra processed foods if he wanted to take control of his health.

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