Sugar and Health: Is Sugar the Silent Killer?

Of all the foods consumed today, refined sugar is considered to be one of the most harmful.

The average American consumes an astounding 2-3 pounds of sugar each week, which is not surprising considering that highly refined sugars in the forms of sucrose (table sugar), dextrose (corn sugar), and high-fructose corn syrup are being processed into so many foods such as bread, breakfast cereal, mayonnaise, peanut butter, ketchup, spaghetti sauce, and a plethora of microwave meals.

According to ED & F Man – (2007/08, Oct/Sep),  global sugar consumption growth increases by about 2% per annum and in 2007/08 was expected to reach almost 160 million tons.  It seems our concerns about avoiding fat has benefited sugar, which is often a key ingredient in products promoted as “fat-free.”

In 1997 Americans devoured 7.3 billion pounds of candy. Americans spent an estimated $23.1 billion dollars on candy and gum. The average American consumed a record 27.3 pounds of candy and gum in the same year-the equivalent of about six regular sized chocolate bars a week-marking the fifth consecutive year of increased demand. (Source: U.S. Commerce Department figures compiled for the National Confectioners Association (NCA) and the Chocolate Manufacturers Association. (Reuters, 8/21/98))

But this is not a recent phenomenon.  On April 19, 1913, the New York Times published the following article:

http://macrobiotics.co.uk/sugar.htm

The Hidden Story of Big Sugar

These videos explore the dark history and modern power of the world’s reigning sugar cartels. Using dramatic reenactments, they reveal how sugar was at the heart of slavery in the West Indies in the 18th century, while showing how present-day consumers are slaves to a sugar-based diet.

If you've enjoyed what you've read so far, you'll certainly enjoy my big-picture thinking in the booklet The 2012 Manifesto. You can read more about it here or just click on the big-ass Download button below and I'll take you straight to the download page.