Why we need sugar?

We often think sugar has a bad impact on our health and it has direct link with Diabetes but sugar play very important role in our body it act as a fuel for our body to work it gives energy to our brain and fuel us in intense workout then why it is considered as a bad thing?. The answer is taking sugar in excess quantity is harmful and can cause health problems like obesity, diabetes and heart diseases.

We will be checking the types of sugar their impact on our body and the biochemical pathways through which sugar is processed in our body.

Definition of Sugar

sugar is a simple or complex carbohydrate the most important sugar in our body is glucose which is the primary source of energy for our brain, only glucose can cross blood brain barrier and brain only utilize glucose for energy

Some Common Types of Sugar

1. Glucose: Simple sugar and probably the main source of energy
2. Fructose: Commonly found in Fruits
3. Sucrose: Sucrose is the common table sugar and combination glucose+ fructose
4. Lactose: This sugar found in Milk. Some people have lactose intolerance they have kind of allergy from lactose upon consuming lactose they get symptoms like headache this best treatment  is use of enzyme lactase which breaks down lactose which is then digestible [1]

How glucose fuel our body

Glycolysis: In the process in our body Glucose is converted in to pyruvate generating ATPs which are considered as major energy currency of cells, nearly all cells use ATPs for their proper functioning

What if glucose is not present or not taken what will happen?

The process called gluconeogenesis will occur it will result in the formation of glucose from non carbohydrate source that will provide required energy

Glucose for Brain Functioning:  20% of the body’s glucose supply is used by our brain.

During Exercise: During Intense workout work body need energy and it is provided in the form of glucose

What Happens When We Consume Too Much Sugar?

Excessive use of added sugars in our diet especially drinking soft drinks, candies, and processed foods can disturb our body’s metabolism

Health Risks of Too Much Sugar:

• Weight gain and obesity

• Insulin resistance ( we have to take insulin to maintain our blood glucose level)

• Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack

• Too much consumption of sugar can affect our teeth

• Consuming sugar than required can cause early aging that’s why health conscious people avoid over consuming artificial sugar
• Hyperglycemia: A condition where blood glucose level is increased and it leads to disease like type 2 Diabetes

Natural Sugars vs. Added Sugars

Source of Natural Sugar

• Different fruits like apples, bananas, grapes and honey etc. These are packed with essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins which can low sugar absorption and are very beneficial for health

Added sugar source

• soda, sweets, baked goods. Added sugar provide no as such nutritional value and these are considered as empty calorie as mentioned above over use of added sugar in our diet can have serious outcomes that’s why should be avoided.

Innovations in Natural Sweeteners

A sugar called allulose which provide same sweetness as added sugar it can be consider as a replacement for added sugar[2]

Health Tip

Trying consuming 10 % of sugar only in your overall daily diet.

Conclusion:

In conclusion sugar plays a very important role in the human body by major source of energy. As we say excess of everything is bad this quotation imply here perfectly sugar is need of our body but it should be in limit.

References

[1] Cleveland Clinic. “Lactase Capsules or Tablets.” Cleveland Clinic, n.d.,

[2] Sweet Additions. “Sugar Reduction Trends: Our Custom Solution.” Sweet Additions, 1 Aug. 2024,