When it comes to the health of our children, there is no clear-cut answer between natural or artificial. Consider any food label and you may see the word ‘sugar’, but whether or not that natural sugar is naturally occurring or synthetic makes a big difference to its health benefits or side effects. So, first of all, let’s define both natural and added sugar. This article will also cover added sugar, which we can see on many labels and products.
Natural Sugar
Natural sugars are not altered or chemically enhanced by using enzymes or plants’ pollen. The purest examples of natural sugars are honey, maple syrup, molasses, cane sugar, and brown rice syrup.
What is Synthetic Sugar?
Synthetic sugars, also called man-made sugars, including corn syrup, white or brown rice syrup, dextrose, glucose, and malt syrup. Man-made sugars contain little nutritional value and are often used as substitutes for natural sugars. These synthetic sugars may also contain additives that improve the appearance of the product and are usually processed before use. While man-made sugars may have some advantages, they do not offer the same level of nutrition as natural sugars. They can cause serious health issues.
Added Sugar
Added sugar, on the other hand, is created using enzymes, bacteria, or plant parts and is chemically altered and enhanced so it has a more appealing flavor and texture. The synthetic sweeteners used in many foods today are often high-fructose corn syrup, white or brown rice syrup, corn syrup, dextrose, and glucose.
Natural Sugar VS Added Sugar
Both sugars have health consequences for those that consume them over the long run. Natural sugars have been shown to cause obesity, which is often a precursor to other problems like diabetes. Synthetic sugars have been linked to higher cholesterol and heart disease.
In summary, you want to choose natural sugar over artificial sugar. If you are not sure which is better, you should go with natural. It is also important to look at the amount of added sugar in a food product. For example, if there are several sugars listed as one part of a product, and they are all-natural, choose the natural sugars.
Health Benefits of Natural Sugar
You can also use the terms “natural” added” interchangeably. The health benefits of natural sugars have been well documented and have been proven to help people lose weight and feel healthier. When comparing foods, especially those that contain high amounts of added sugars, always consider natural sugars.
Health Risks of Added Sugar
As for added sugars, they have been linked to health risks, particularly cardiovascular problems. However, many people also argue that there are also many health benefits to be had from eating natural sugars, including the fact that they taste so much better. than synthetic sugars.
Added Sugar Disease
The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, does not consider added sugar a health hazard. That’s according to the website of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM. However, recent studies by leading health organizations and by researchers in nutrition and public health reveal that there is a link between consuming food with excessive amounts of added sugar and weight gain.
Causes of Added Sugar
Weight gain in most people isn’t caused by illness, it is usually caused by lack of exercise and by eating unhealthy food. However, some individuals experience an unhealthy increase in their body weight due to eating too much carbohydrates. When the body’s metabolism rate is increased by added sugars, people gain more body fat than normal.
According to the NCAAM website, added sugar can increase blood glucose and affect the insulin sensitivity of the body. Some experts agree that a high amount of sugar can be dangerous to the body, but not enough research has been done to prove this.
Researchers fo Weight Gain Problems
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine is currently conducting a study to determine the relationship between increased sugar consumption and weight gain. Researchers are using a special diet and body weight test method called the Glycemic Index to track how sugars affect the body.
Researchers also have noticed a correlation between obesity and the consumption of sweets. It’s interesting to note that during the 1970s, when the U.S. government first started to prohibit the use of artificial sweeteners in drinks, obesity rates decreased because Americans started to eat less sugary foods.
Growing Problem of Obesity
However, with today’s growing problem of obesity, Americans consume twice as much added sugar as they did just 40 years ago. If you eat foods with sugar, particularly those that contain high levels of fructose, you are probably already guilty of this deadly practice. If you’re concerned about becoming overweight and suffering from added sugar disease, contact your doctor or dietitian immediately to get help to control your weight.
Types of Sugar
There are two types of sugar: simple and complex. Simple sugars, such as those found in honey, syrups, granulated white sugar, and glucose are absorbed more quickly than complex sugars, such as those found in fruits like apples, bananas, and raisins. When this process occurs, calories are stored as body fat.
Increased Risk of Heart Disease
Researchers in nutrition and public health believe. Eating too many carbohydrates will lead to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other diseases of the heart. The National Institutes of Health says. There’s a link between high amounts of added sugar and the rise in the number of people. Who suffer from obesity and other types of heart problems, including heart disease. While most people think that the rise of sugar intake is related to the development of the modern era. The connection goes much deeper than that. The study also indicates that there may be an effect on the brain.
Added sugar can have a profound influence on the body’s chemical makeup and the health of a person. Regardless of age and gender. Eating foods with added sugar will result in a variety of health problems, not just obesity. So it’s important to do your part to help your body stay healthy.
