As we grow older, some of our memories of childhood disappear. The few memories we have left become treasures. For me, the word ‘sugar’ is a trigger that immediately takes me back to a time when life was less complicated. A time when many of the good times in life involved some form of a carbohydrate we commonly call sugar. Whether it is diving headfirst into a slice of watermelon, slurping desperately to keep up with a melting Popsicle, or accepting a spoonful of medicine disguised with a touch of sweetness, sugar has a way of making children smile and adults enjoy the moment.

Why is it that sugar is so hotly debated as it relates to the health of individuals? Is sugar keeping you from attempting those hard geocaching trips? No one would argue that too much sugar is bad for our bodies. In this article we will look at the pros and cons of refined sugar consumption.

According to the Sugar association, www.sugar.org “Sugar (sucrose) is a carbohydrate that occurs naturally in every fruit and vegetable. It is the major product of photosynthesis, the process by which plants transform the sun's energy into food. Sugar occurs in greatest quantities in sugar cane and sugar beets from which it is separated for commercial use.”

Carbohydrates are a major source of calories, which are consumed by the body. For individuals looking to lose weight, it is commonly thought that because raw sugar contain virtually no nutritional benefit, then added sugar in the diet should be the first thing to go.

Other fruits and vegetables, which also contain carbohydrates, are generally allowed because they provide nutrional benefit. Even some sugar opponents agree that some added sugar in the diet is acceptable. What concerns many people today are the ever-increasing rate in which refined sugar is being consumed.

Sugar is a multi-purpose carbohydrate that contributes significantly to the flavor, aroma, texture, color and body of a variety of foods.

Although sugar is a multi-purpose material, it is the increase in sugar consumption that has caught the attention of many healthcare professionals. According to the Center of Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), “Sugar consumption has been going through the roof. It has increased by 28 percent since 1983, fueling soaring obesity rates and other health problems.” Products like high fructose corn syrup and corn syrup used primarily in soft drinks is one of the reasons sugar consumption continues to increase every year.

Of the foods most commonly consumed, it is soft drinks, baked goods and fruit drinks that attribute more than 50 percent of the added sugar. Also, the CSPI is pushing the FDA to adopt the USDA’s recommendation of 10 teaspoons of added sugar per day.

That may sound like a lot but consider that (1) 12oz. Soda would supply 103 percent of the recommended daily limit. A large Mr. Misty Slush at Dairy Queen… 280 percent. One of the problems with high sugar foods is that they replace more healthful foods.

In the best selling book, The New Sugar Busters, the authors focus on the ill effects of refined sugar on the human body. According to the book, “ Early on, our ancestors did not even have the luxury of being able to eat a combination of foods. They did not eat the kinds of carbohydrates that would require large amounts of insulin secretion.”

It is thought that the dramatic increase in refined sugar in our diet is contributing to the increase in obesity and diabetes. According to “The New Sugar Busters”, the reason sugar is allowed to flow freely to people in our society is because the sugar lobby is one of the most powerful in existence. There is a lot of money wrapped up in the business of refined sugar.

For those individuals looking to cut the amount of sugar in their diet, Ann Louise Gittleman, author of Get The Sugar Out offer these tips.

Although the significance of sugar in our lives remains to be hotly debated, you owe it to your body to understand what sugar is and what it does to your health. The goal is to be geocaching past 100 years of age. If that is intend the case, I can’t help but think that a spoonful of sugar, occasionally, would be a reason to smile. But as always, do the research, listen to your body and ask your doctor what is right for you.

This article is a collaboration of information from numerous sources. I have made an effort to collaborate, as much of this information as is possible but some information may be incorrect or misleading. For this and other reasons please understand that I am not advising you to take any action based on this article. In the realm of medicine I am specifically recommending seeking the advice of a competent medical caregiver. I am not giving medical or related advice, just a heartfelt opinion.