Low CalorieBenefits And The Not-So-Beneficial Sides To Sugar
The actual history of sugar is somewhat obscure. The consensus of opinion tells us that sugar cane first appeared in New Guinea where it was known for several millennia. It seems that the Crusaders knew something of the substance as a result of their 11th century Mediterranean activities, who then may have introduced it into England in the 1300s. The mid 1500s saw sugar become a highly prized commodity - a luxury even, comparable with caviar by today"s standards. Sugar was kept in a locked box in those households that could afford it. By the 1600s England controlled the world"s biggest sugar production through the travels and influence of Sir Walter Raleigh.
What of sugar and its benefits as a food? Sugar actually has several names, ranging from:
· Glucose, which comes from fruit and vegetables and which activates chemical changes in our bodies;
· Fructose - sugar from fruit
· Lactose - from milk
· Sucrose - biscuit and cake sugar
· Maltose - malt sugar.
· Provides energy for the daily grind - helps the body to function, but then so also does any harmless protein but without the detrimental effects of processed sugar.
Sugar has its benefits, if it"s a natural sugar but it also has its drawbacks if it is processed. On the benefits side:
· Causes behavioural "disorders" in children - hyperactivity has been attributed to a high sugar intake through fizzy pop drinks and sweets, with the added complication of food additives in the form of artificial colouring and flavours
On the not-so-beneficial side processed sugar is actually a carbohydrate that can be quite harmful to the human body in several ways:
· It has been shown to be a major cause of dental caries - interestingly tooth decay is absent from pre-historic human remains
· Can become addictive - ask any "chocoholic"
· Can be harmful to the heart and to mucous membranes
· Can give rise to angina
· Known to promote eye (retina) defects
With the range of harmful effects of taking processed sugar it is important to look at some substitutes.
NATURAL SUGAR - FRUIT
It is a simple fact that the craving for sweet things can be satisfied by fruit and/or honey. Apples, citrus fruit, peaches, plums and a whole variety of fresh fruits contain natural fructose to provide the body with the enzymes, fibre and other requirements to give energy and a healthy and balanced metabolism.
HONEY
Honey is much healthier for the human body than processed alternatives, provided that it is consumed in small quantities. There is a wide variety of natural sources of sugar to satisfy the worst of cravings. In addition, natural sweet foods can both nourish and calm the body if taken only occasionally. This is due to the nutrients and enzymes that are absorbed and broken down by the digestive system.
Coupled with these are a number of natural sweets and spices to help curb the craving for sweet things.
· Spices such as cinnamon, coconut, nutmeg and mixed spices that help to increase the sweet taste when added to cooking
· Raisins
· Dates can be dried, chopped and added to salads and desserts
· Blackberries are high in vitamin C, E, Iron and fibre
· Grapes dried or fresh - high in vitamin C, Iron and other minerals
· Carob is a close substitute for chocolate; it is a naturally sweet, caffeine-free substitute, and contrary to the claims of junk-food addicts, can be made to taste really good.