No matter where you turn, there are lots of articles floating around on Sugar – to include your Facebook feed. I think we all know that sugar is bad. But… sugar is NOT all the same.
Sugar is a simple carb that the body converts to glucose and uses for energy.
Its ultimate effect on your health varies depending on the type of sugar that you are consuming.
Natural Sugars
Found in things like dairy products and fruit, natural sugar items provide nutrients to your body that help your body stay healthy.
Fruit and unsweetened milk (Raw Dairy for example) have vitamins and minerals, protein and in some cases fiber – which are entirely different than processed sugars because they keep your belly full – for a longer period of time.
Refined Sugar
Refined sugar is entirely different than natural sugar in that it comes from sugar cane/beets. Sugar cane and sugar beets are processed to extract the sugar.
This type of sugar is sucrose (glucose + fructose) and includes white and brown sugar that we use for baking items like cookies, and cakes, sweetening kids cereals, and more. The big food companies often times add high fructose corn syrup, which is chemically produced, to almost everything you find on grocery store shelves: beverages, granola bars, kids yogurt, salad dressing and more.
The body processes each (natural & refined) differently – while refined is broken down rapidly (causing your sugar levels to go up quickly), natural is not processed quite as fast. You digest refined sugars quickly which is essentially why you never feel “full” after eating processed foods. No matter how much you consume, you will likely not feel as “full” after you are done eating.
However.... when you eat items with natural sugars, like fruit (which has fiber), you suppress your appetite, and prevent yourself from overeating. Not only that, you consume antioxidants.
One thing to remember though, is that once all that sugar you eat passes through your small intestine, it doesn’t matter what type of sugar it is… which means you can’t consume 1/2 tray of cookies, then slam down an apple and think you are ok 🙂 Your body will take that excess sugar and store it in the form of fat.
[…] And most people are fairly aware that not all sugars are the same. […]