Six facts you need to know about sugars
This fear of high-fructose corn syrup led people to move to regular sugar and other options that they thought was safe. While moving to healthier sugar is a good change, but questions are being raised on whether such a move is really the solution.
The Consumers Union of United States has recently listed out a few facts that every person needs to know about sugars:
* Is high-fructose corn syrup really evil: Researchers are not totally sure. but that does not mean that it is healthy either. Studies have suggested that this form of sugar, made from corn starch processed with enzymes and acids is more fattening. But, the fact remains that this type of sugar only has as many calories as table sugar and is indistinguishable chemically.
* Is natural sugar better: If this refers to sugar found naturally in fruits, dairy products and such, then the answer is a resounding yes. Not only is this healthier, it also contains a whole lot of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that foods generally contain.
* Is brown sugar good: Well, they are as nutritionally bereft as other artificial sugar types and also contain the same quantity of calories? Honey and maple syrup tastes great but they do not contain the sort of nutrients that natural sugar found in fruits do.
* How much sugar is too much: Experts believe that you can get up to 25 percent of daily calories from added sugars. A report by the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine has set out an upper limit of getting about 150 calories a day from added sugar.
* Does sugar cause overall bad health: Besides dental cavities and diabetes, sugar is also known to be a potential harbinger of high blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Studies have also linked high sugar consumption to pancreatic cancer.
* Can one cut back on added sugar: It is actually quite easy. Start by removing soda from your diet as it is a leading source of added sugar in an American diet. Ready-to-drink tea, sweetened alcoholic or caffeinated drinks and juice drinks are other food items that you need to confine to the dustbins. Every time you crave for something sweet, opt for fresh fruit.