Sugar Myths

What’s True & False?

• Can you become addicted to sugar?
• Are sweeteners really healthier?
• Sugar makes your skin look older?

Myth: Sweeteners are better than sugar – TRUE AND FALSE

Some sweeteners increase the blood sugar and therefore contain calories and other sweeteners do not increase blood sugar. The truth is that the long-term consequences of consuming sweeteners are not known, as there is not enough research in the field. So if you just have a sweet tooth, it’s a good idea to bypass light products and settle for a little of the real thing.

Myth: Eating sugar makes you over-energetic – TRUE

For a short period. When you ingest sugar, it does not take long before it reaches the bloodstream. You may briefly experience a “kick”, but the downturn hits fast. If you eat a slice of rye bread, the dietary fibre content ensures that it takes longer before it is broken down. If you are the type who crave sweets and cake in the afternoon then try vegetable sticks with hummus, “skyr” with a good low-fat and sugar-free muesli or a small handful of nuts instead.

Myth: Sugar makes you tired – TRUE AND FALSE

If you consume sugary products, the amount of sugar in the blood briefly increases. When the energy level peaks, you get more energy, but it will quickly be burned. Then you feel tired again and crave more sugar. Everyone knows the feeling of going sugar-cold. You get really tired, perhaps also irritable. You start shaking. Maybe you get cold sweats and a feeling of fainting. Sugar from candy or chocolate quickly helps with the problem, but subsequently, it will backfire. Eat a piece of fruit and a slice of rye bread with low-fat cheese or something that gives a slow rise in blood sugar. Have a bag of nuts lying in your bag so you avoid falling into the sugar trap when you are on the go.

Myth: Cane sugar is healthier than white sugar – FALSE

The difference between cane sugar and white sugar is that cane sugar contains a bit of the syrup that is evaporated from during manufacture. Plain white sugar is refined, that is, anything other than pure sugar is removed. There is no significant difference in nutritional value. Whether the sugar is organic does not matter in that regard either. Sugar is a carbohydrate that falls under the category of empty calories because it just has no nutritional value for the body.

Myth: Sugar in soft drinks increases the risk of blood clots – TRUE

A new large American study indicates that sugar in soft drinks can increase the risk of blood clots in the heart. Sugar affects the level of triglycerides in the blood. Triglycerides are fats that are found in the body and primarily originate from the food we consume. Elevated content of triglycerides is often seen in connection with obesity, diabetes and a large intake of alcohol. It can lead to atherosclerosis and thereby blood clots in the heart. If the body is often exposed to too high a blood sugar level and large fluctuations in blood sugar, it will in the long run increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Myth: Eating sugar makes your skin look older – FALSE

Many beauty experts believe that sugar damages the skin and causes wrinkles. However, there is no documentation for this. People who generally eat a lot of sugar may have a lifestyle that prevents their skin from getting the nutrients it needs, but smoking and sunbathing are bigger culprits in terms of skin elasticity. If you eat so much sugar that it leads to obesity, you can say that sugar gives sagging skin, but a golden caramel every now and then gives neither wrinkles nor sagging skin.

Myth: Fruit sugar is healthier than white sugar – TRUE AND FALSE

After all, sugar of any kind contains the same number of calories per serving. However, the sugar found in fruit is accompanied by water, dietary fibres and vitamins. The dietary fibres help to slow down the absorption rate of fruit sugar and ensure that you get a longer feeling of satiety. At any given time, it may be better to eat fruit rather than sweets and chocolate with added sugar. It’s recommended to eat 300 grams of fruit a day, which corresponds to approximately three pieces.

Myth: Light products do not contain sugar – FALSE

Many light products pretend to be without added sugar. This means that they are not added white sugar, but most often they are instead added sugar from fruit or energy-giving sweeteners. Fruit sugar provides the same number of calories and increase in blood sugar as white sugar. The sweeteners used in light products are also energizing. Light products often contain only a few calories less than regular products, and the fat content is also often the same or higher.

Myth: Sugar wears on the body’s organs – TRUE

If you have thoroughly boarded the candy bowl, the concentration of sugar in the bloodstream rises to a fairly high level. Sugar does not belong in the bloodstream, and the hormone insulin, which is produced in the pancreas, is sent out to transport the sugar into the muscle cells. If it keeps pouring in with sugar for the machinery, the pancreas is put on overtime. Large fluctuations in blood sugar wear on the organs in the long run. Therefore, healthy snacks are of great importance to your lifestyle. If the body gets a little energy every two to three hours, the blood sugar level is kept at a natural and stable level.