In the U.S. the diabetes rate has increased 900% since the early 1960's and for the first time in our history obese people have out numbered those who are underweight. Obesity and diabetes have sky rocketed worldwide, as sugar consumption has increased. A 2014 study revealed 10% of Americans consumed 25% of their daily calories from sugar and 71.4% of adults consumed at least 10% of their daily calories from sugar. Those who consumed 21% or more of their calories from sugar are twice as likely to die from heart disease compared to those who only consumed 7% or less of their calories from sugar. That risk tripled when the daily calorie intake was 25% or greater.
The American Heart Association only recommends 6-9 tsps of sugar daily, which the average American will consume at least 20 tsps.
Think you're safe refraining from candies, cookies and cakes? Think again. A fruit flavored yogurt can contain 20 grams of sugar, that's 5 tsps. A package of sweet and sour chicken with rice contains more than 12 tsps of added sugar. According to Dr. Robert Lusteg, a neuroendocrinologist, your liver can only metabolize 6 tsps of added sugar daily any excess becomes fat.
Now if that didn't get your attention, carbohydrates are converted into glucose (sugar) in the liver; Cancer cells need glucose to live and thrive. Think about that the next time you grab a high carb loaded food.
Every year, more and more research is confirming that sugar is a primary dietary factor leading to chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Be careful when reading labels because sugar can be hidden using words like dextrose, maltose, galactose and maltodextrin, just to name a few.
So what can you do:
- Cook from scratch, using whole foods
- Reduce and eliminate personally added sugars to foods and drinks
- Use Stevia or Lo Han as a sweetner
- Use spices to flavor foods
Sites Dr. Mercole Gary Taubis "The Case Against Sugar"