Positive Healthline Findings from the Book — Added Sugars–The Slow Poison by Srividya B
Just as we have scores of books in the self-help genre, so do we have for health and lifestyle improvements? The resource on health-related is abundant in the form of e-books, videos, guides, slides, info graphics, and even reels. But not all that glitters is gold. Isn’t it? Thus, the books on health written by dietician and nutrition consultants are way better than general physicians or any dabbler of the field.
Well, the book on added sugars by Srividya B is not only extensive but also an eye-opener. It is one of the best books available on added sugars, in fact all about sugars. The book’s main focus is to highlight the sweet things that we eat and drink isn’t actually sweet on health. They are presented in such way that we gullibly take them without any guilt on our conscience.
As the title says ‘Added Sugars–The Slow Poison’ is correct. Right at the beginning the popular myth about added sugars is busted. Processed and canned food, beverages, jam and jelly, chocolates, biscuits and many more items are sugar coated so as to increase the shelf life, plus tastes good for consumers. But this is the trick to deceive millions in the world. Added Sugars is highly dangerous to our body in long run. It damages liver, brain, causes diabetic, insulin resistance, and weakens the metabolism. This is general awareness about added sugars.
Now let’s focus on the positive findings about sugars from this short, handy book.
Processed sugars are addictive. The condition is like dopamine working in our mind. In our mind receptors control and signal the use of all but in the case of added sugars it doesn’t work. Due to continuous exposure to dopamine, you will see a decrease in dopamine cell receptors. This state of reduction of cell receptors is called down regulation.
Artificial sweeteners are as sweet and fine as normal table sugar or added sugar in a processed food. However, it is dangerous. Famous artificial sweeteners widely used in the market are Acesulfame K and Aspartame.
The book offers natural sweeteners over added sugar items. It starts with honey, which is good for weight loss as it being an antioxidant. The book has an extensive coverage on honey and its benefits. Suggested reading that part of the book for interested ones.
Another interesting natural sweetener is palm jiggery. It is unique as in summer it cools and in winter increases the body temperature. It regulates body temperature in all seasons and never harms.
If talking about sugars, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) can’t be ignored. It is sold out under various names in the market. It is made of sulphuric acid and corn starch. It straight away damages liver, even when you are not drinking alcohol. In fact any sugar that is made of more than two molecules is going to be a problem for health.
The biggest achievement of the book is to make readers understand the various names of sugars and which one is harmful to what extent. Chapter 1 is a must read, it sheds light on the basic biochemical names of sugars, which you can further find out in ingredients list while buying a sweet processed item.
If you think fat, oil, refined things are only factors for weight gain and diseases like obesity, blood pressure, insulin resistance, bad liver…etc…it is time to consider added sugars something as dubious, not as an ally on your dinner table.
The above points and highlights are some relevant and useful pointers from the book. You may read the complete book for a wide-ranging aspects pertaining to added sugars.