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Why use Sugar Substitutes Versus Sugar

By Esther George

Republish: EasyPublish™ Published: 22Apr2009 Word count: 486 Viewed: 321 time(s) Get Free Content For Your Site

Sugar is empty calories that raise the insulin level as soon as we eat it. Too much sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body's blood-sugar balance, triggering the release of insulin. Insulin is a hormone with extensive effects on both metabolism and several other body systems (e.g., vascular compliance).

When we eat, our bodies break food down into organic compounds, one of which is glucose. The cells of our bodies use glucose as a source of energy for movement, growth, repair, and other functions. But before the cells can use glucose, it must move from the bloodstream into the individual cells. This process requires insulin. Refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into just about every item we consume each day.

This result in an elevated level of glucose in our blood stream and elevated levels of insulin is required. However, with Sugar substitute such as honey or organic honey crystals that are more natural sweeteners the body balances it better.

When we have elevated insulin levels for a long time it can increase the risk for disease by causing inflammation within our body and by inhibiting key hormones that regulate the immune system. This leads to illness and sickness with issues such as diabetes.

Without the action of insulin, many of our cells cannot access the calories contained in the glucose very well resulting in Type 1 diabetes. More commonly, people will develop insulin resistance (Type 2 Diabetes) rather than a true deficiency of insulin.

In this case, the levels of insulin in the blood are similar or even a little higher than in normal, non-diabetic individuals. However, many cells of Type 2 diabetics respond sluggishly to the insulin they make and therefore their cells cannot absorb the sugar molecules well. This leads to blood sugar levels which run higher than normal.

Occasionally Type 2 diabetics will need insulin shots but most of the time other methods of treatment will work. Insulin also promotes the storage of fat, so that when you eat excessive foods high in sugar (soft drinks, chocolate, etc) it can lead to excessive weight gain and obesity with elevated triglycerides, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease.

Other complications from sugar are depression, poor circulation, dull skin, and other ill-health effects. These days almost every food item we eat (cereals, canned foods, pies, cakes, etc) has a lot of processed sugar in it. Our bodies are designed to safely eat 2,000 calories of total food each day. Within this total intake nutritionists support the importance of eliminating table sugar whenever possible, or at least limiting consumption to no more than 8 teaspoons of refined sugar (32 grams) per day.

If we must consume sugar then we should limit our consumption to healthy organic or natural sugar and sweetener alternatives such as Honey Crystals that are made from organic cane juice and organic honey.

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