The Case Against Sugar

With the charge that seductive sugar is nothing more than an addictive drug, science and health journalist Gary Taubes presents potent evidence alleging this nutrient to be the hidden culprit responsible for the epidemic global eruption of diabetes and obesity in the population. From its emergence in the Caribbean during the 17th century, sugar cane slowly crept into the world market, lead by exploitative Portuguese and British sugar barons. As sugar became more available and consumption increased, so too did the sudden appearance and growth of Western health disorders recognized as hypertension, diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver, cardiac disorders, gout, and dementia disabilities. The sweeteners derived from sugar cane or sugar beets are molecular sucrose, which break down in the gut into energy rich glucose and fat producing fructose. Compelling observations suggest that sugar, notably high fructose forms, may be responsible for the time-delayed effects leading to the increasing emergence of debilitating afflictions. It’s interesting to note that sugar in its heyday was added to tobacco leaves, an additive which increased the lethality of cigarettes. The consequences of sugar in diets should be recognized by consumers and neutral, balanced research is needed to determine the make-up of a healthy diet. Sugary sweets too often serve as rewards, but unknowingly these tempting bonuses may deliver a sugar high along with some toxic consequences.