The Facts Behind Sugar Toxicity

moderation is the key to sweetener safety

Sugar might taste sweet to the tongue, but too much of it is toxic for the body so much so that processed sugar is now being linked to cancer and other ailments. Research links sugar to the ballooning obesity problem in the United States. According to Dr. Robert Lustig, sugar is toxic and addictive, which is slowly killing us by increasing the risk of heart disease, Type II diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

Does that mean sugar should no longer be part of our meals, snacks, and desserts? Not necessarily, though. If taken in moderation, sugar is not that harmful; rather, it is a building block for making carbohydrates. Glucose is essential to drive our body as it produces energy that keeps us moving and powers our brain.

However, as the number of diabetes patients continues to rise by the day in the United States, sugar is increasingly being seen as the culprit and voices demanding sugar-free diets are becoming loud. Consumption of too much sugar during pregnancy raises the risk of gestational diabetes, which poses a threat to the fetus’ ability to manage blood sugar normally.

True, too much sugar is toxic. Tom Nikkola, Nutrition and Weight Management director at Lifestyle Fitness, compares sugar with drugs, saying it can have negative effects on our metabolism, very much similar to drug or poison.
The Dietary Guidelines suggest eating sugar only in moderation. Each gram of sugar contributes four calories to the human body. Consumption of too much sugar results in overproduction of insulin, leading to conversion of glucose to fat for storage for later use. This might also cause chronic inflammation, resulting in degenerative disease in different organs. Further, too much of sugar consumption lowers good cholesterol levels while raising triglycerides, which risk causing heart ailments. Sugar is also blamed for increasing nutrient deficiency in the body.

Stevia: Sweet Alternative to Sugar for Diabetics
So, what’s the solution? Well, cutting down the consumption of sugar and replacing them with natural sweeteners, such as Steviva Brands (http://www.steviva.com/store), Steviva Blend, Fructevia or stevia extract powder can be seen as a solution for those that find it hard enough to live without sweets. At Steviva Brands Inc, (http://www.steviva.com) we are dedicated to producing a gluten-free, GMO free, allergen-free sweeteners that are safe for diabetics and help them increase their wellbeing. Derived from naturally occurring substances, natural sweeteners are not only tastier, but also a healthier alternative to sugar, diabetic friendly, as these add no calories to your diet.
Natural sweeteners produced by Trinity Hill Farms (http://www.trinityhillfarms.com) may be a good alternative to sugar if you have diabetes, since these are not carbohydrates and do not raise blood sugar levels and are thus a perfect savory addition to your diabetic diet. FDA has approved Stevia products, which have no added sugar or artificial flavors, as generally recognized as safe substances for diabetics. Stevia is a sweet herb, much sweeter than sugar. Being calorie free, Stevia is ideal for diabetics and children and does not cause blood sugar levels to shoot up.