Common Myths and Misconceptions about sugar
- “Sugar causes obesity”. No one food causes obesity. If we take in more calories from food or drink than is burned up, the excess calories will be stored as fat – regardless of whether the excess calories come from sugar, meat, fruit or any other food.
- “Sugar causes diabetes”. Type 2 diabetes is caused through a lack of insulin and/or the body not responding to insulin – not by the sugar you eat. Obesity, which increases the risk of diabetes, is usually the result of eating too many calories and not getting enough exercise – eating too much of any food, including sugar, contributes to obesity.
- “Sugar increases the risk of coronary heart disease”. Sugar itself does not cause the arteries of the heart to become narrowed (a feature of heart disease). Over-consumption of food in general (fat, sugar, starch and protein) leads to obesity, and obesity in turn increases the risk of coronary heart disease.
- “You need sugar for quick energy”. Skipping meals or leaving out a starch food at mealtimes can lead to low blood sugar (glucose) levels and subsequent dips in energy. Yes, sugar is absorbed quickly and will quickly raise the blood sugar. However, if you eat regular starch-based meals (i.e. including potato, bread, rice, etc) you will keep your blood sugar (glucose) level stable and you will not require a ‘quick fix’.
- “Infants are born with a ‘sweet tooth’”. Nature ensures infants take breast milk and that bitter-tasting plants (often poisonous) are avoided by giving them a preference for sweet as opposed to bitter food. This preference changes as the infant develops and is weaned onto solids. Some believe that adult preference for different foods is partly determined by genetics.
- “Sugar is addictive”. You cannot become physiologically addicted to sugar. An emotional dependence may develop as foods (often sugar-containing) are used as a comfort in times of stress or anxiety. Identifying the cause of stress or anxiety, and figuring out how to reduce it will help to reduce ‘comfort’ eating.