I love sugar and had a lot of cavities when I was a kid.
Once, when I was in middle school, the late Harvey Levinson, a dentist, looked at me sternly and said,
(This is out of context, but awards season is in full swing, so indulge me: Levinson, who practiced at Studio City when I was in high school, created mouthpiece It turned Marlon Brando into the jolly bulldog of “The Godfather.” Brando won an Oscar for his portrayal of Don Corleone, but he famously turned it down, sending Sashen Littlefeather on stage instead, and at that point it was the closest thing to my fame. It was a brush. )
sugar anyway.
What Dr. Levinson always knew is now generally accepted.
It can obviously cause dental problems, but it can also lead to obesity, diabetes and inflammation, which can lead to all sorts of unpleasant consequences.
In 2014, researchers at Harvard University published findings from a 15-year study showing a link between a high-sugar diet and an increased risk of dying from heart disease.of Harvard Health BulletinFrank Hu, a nutrition professor who led the study, said: “While the effects of excess sugar on obesity and diabetes are well documented, one area that may surprise many is , that sugar preferences can have a serious impact on heart health.”
Experts say people who eat a diet high in sugar have a higher risk of dying from heart disease.
My father is a good example. I’m sure his sugar consumption crowded out other, more beneficial nutrients from his diet.Sure enough, he died of a massive stroke. Of course he was 91, but he was a beloved trader He’s Joe’s chocolate-covered peanut butter He’s a cup or Ralph’s lemon could have lived until we never know.
Our ardent love for sugar and the knowledge that sugar can have adverse health effects, especially for those with diabetes and obesity, has fueled a booming market. artificial sweetener — $7.2 billion globally by 2021This has led to a surge of research into whether artificial sweeteners may have adverse health effects.
In three words, the definitive answer so far is: Maybe. Maybe not.
Last week, one of the popular sugar substitutes, erythritol, was linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and blood clots. Cleveland Clinic researchers studied his more than 4,000 people in the United States and Europe and found that those with higher levels of erythritol in their blood were at risk of “major adverse cardiac events such as heart attack, stroke, or death.” was found to be high.
But of course, correlation is not causation, and as always, more research is needed, the researchers point out.It makes no sense to demonize sugar and sugar substitutes, or to heighten already very high levels of anxiety about dietary habits when reporting the latest incremental research. cautious headline Regarding last week’s New York Times article on erythritol research: “Study Suggests Possible Link Between Sugar Substitutes and Heart Problems. Experts Don’t Panic.”not all outletsit was cautious.
But we do know that people around the world are consuming more sugar than ever before. Especially in the form of sugar-laden beverages.Sweetness in the world’s diets”
three-quarters of Americans Eat more sugar than you need. The federal government recommends no more than 12.5 teaspoons (50 grams) of added sugar per day (i.e. sugar not normally found in the diet).
of American Heart Assn. Guidelines Men should consume up to 9 teaspoons of additional sugar equivalent to 150 calories per day. And sadly, women shouldn’t consume more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day. .
That soda can probably doesn’t show up on your table very often. So you end up eating the same amount of food as you normally would, plus the empty calories of soda or lemonade on top of that.
And to spoil the conventional wisdom (which is the point of the study, after all), some studies show that using artificial sweeteners actually lead to weight gain This is probably because a calorie deficit “prevents full activation of the food reward pathway.”
At this point, my food reward pathway is a worn out rut. I try to avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners as much as possible. Because it’s best for my health. But I am also drawn to the hedonism of Anthony Bourdain. In his 2000 memoir, Kitchen Confidential, he said: famously wrote “Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.”
I’ve enjoyed the ride so far, but I’m happy to report that Dr. Levinson’s dire advice was overly harsh. I’ve eaten a lot of sugar my whole life and still have all my teeth.
good, largely all of them.
This story originally appeared los angeles times.
