• The Sugar-Behaviour Link in Children

    The discussion about the impact of sugar on children’s behaviour, mood, and energy levels is both perennial and pertinent. While the lure of sugary treats is undeniable among the younger demographic, the consequences of their consumption extend beyond mere physical health, influencing aspects of mental well-being and behavioural patterns. This exploration seeks to shed light on the multifaceted effects of sugar intake on children, offering insights into the physiological and psychological ramifications, with an emphasis on fostering a balanced approach to nutrition that parents can realistically implement. The consumption of sugar, particularly in high quantities, has been shown to precipitate a cascade of physiological reactions within the body, leading to…

  • Fruit Juice and Sugar: Healthier Alternatives

    Fruit juice, derived from the squeezing or pressing of fresh fruits, is often perceived as a natural and wholesome beverage. However, this seemingly healthy drink can also contain astonishingly high levels of sugar. For instance, a typical glass of orange juice can contain as much sugar as several whole oranges. The main issue here lies in the concentration of sugar. While whole fruits contain fiber, which slows down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, fruit juice will sometimes lack this important dietary fibre. As a result, the sugar in juice is absorbed much more quickly, leading to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. Moreover, the juicing process densifies the…

  • How Sugar Impairs the Immune System

    Sugar, despite its sweet and irresistible allure, harbors potential threats to our health. While it’s well known that excessive sugar consumption contributes to obesity and diabetes, an aspect of high sugar intake often overlooked is its detrimental impact on the immune system. This article will delve into how high sugar consumption impairs our immune system, making us more susceptible to diseases. Understanding The Immune System The immune system is our body’s complex defense mechanism against harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, and other pathogenic organisms. It involves various types of cells and proteins that work synergistically to neutralize and eliminate these harmful substances. Thus, anything that weakens this defense network can…

  • The Sugar Epidemic: What are the Risks?

    Sugar is one of the leading contributions for obesity amongst Canadians. Sugar can be found in things like chocolate, baked goods (such as cookies, cakes and pastries), carbonated beverages (such as soft drinks), as well as other processed foods (such as salad dressings, marinades, and even infant formula.) As a physician, it’s important for me to not only inform readers, as well as my patients, about the healthy choices they could be making when it comes to their diet, but also warn them about the potential risks associated with things like too much salt, fat and sugar. People often don’t give sugar a second thought – but what is it,…

  • The Sugar Epidemic: Sugar Addiction

    Whenever you eat something that is sweet, the hippocampus (a horseshoe-shaped structure with a band of nerve fibres that connects the hippocampal structures in the left and right hemispheres of the brain) enables you to remember the taste. This then results in the formation of habits, causing you to want to reach for that sweet treat over and over again. This sets off a domino-like effect and causes your dopamine levels to rise. Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter and hormone that plays a role in many different bodily functions, including movement, memory, motivation and pleasurable reward. Which is why, when you consume sugar, the brain thinks of it as…

  • Healthier Sugar Substitutes

    It goes without saying that sugar is bad for you. It’s not only high in calories which can lead to weight gain, high cholesterol and heart disease, but it can also cause tooth decay and cavities, which can result in you requiring dental work such as fillings or even root canals. Furthermore, sugar can also be problematic if you have certain pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes – and those are just some of the reasons why it’s recommended you stay away from sugar and make better food choices. If you’re craving something sweet, then there are healthier alternatives you can try… For example, if you prefer drinking soda, swap it…

  • The Sugar Epidemic: Sugar History

    The history of sugar dates back quite some time ago, with the extraction of sugar cane juice from the sugarcane plant and the plant’s domestication in India and Southeast Asia around 4,000 BC. This was followed by the manufacturing of cane sugar granules in Indian in the early centuries AD, leading to the spread of cultivation and manufacturing of cane sugar, as well as development of beet sugar and high-fructose corn syrup. Interestingly, when sugar was first introduced in the 16th century, it was actually known as a spice, and was only made available to wealthy elites along with other exotic spices such as ginger, cinnamon and saffron – with…

  • Why Too Much Sugar is Bad For You

    Something that has been long known to contribute to a decline in health is sugar. Canadians consume an overwhelming amount of sugar each year – almost 90 pounds worth! On average, males and females between the ages of 9 and 13 consume about 103 to 120 pounds of sugar – a number that increases during teenage years, up to as much as 138 pounds. The primary source of sugar consumption in the younger generation is carbonated soft-drinks. However, it can also be found in other sources such as candy, and even fruits and vegetables. Sure, sugar can taste good, but it is having harmful, even life-threatening effects on our health.…

  • Why Sugary Soft Drinks Are Bad For You

    5 years ago, it was estimated that Canadians were purchasing as many as 444 millilitres of sugary beverages per capita – which is equal to one can of soda per person, per day, every day. Among some of the research that was done, it found that younger individuals were particularly drawn to these sweet, carbonated beverages – and these drinks were also found to be the single largest contributor of sugar in the average Canadian diet. It’s also not uncommon for someone who drinks one can of soda to drink as many as 2, 3 or even 4 cans in a day. This is because the soda is created to…

  • Australia’s Newest Study on Sugary Drinks

    Summer might be a long way’s away for Canada, but in Australia where it’s currently between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius, cooling down is exactly what’s needed. While some people might choose to stay in an air-conditioned room or building, others opt for cold, frozen drinks, such as slushies, to help keep them from feeling overheated. However, according to recent news articles, those frozen drinks might actually contain more sugar than what was initially thought. In light of this finding, LiveLighter and Rethink Sugary Drink have launched their ‘Don’t Get Sucked In’ campaign in effort to shine a spotlight on these and other sugary beverages. Along with slushies, soft drinks…