Sugar and Your Health

We love to indulge in a little sweet treat every once in a while, but we also know that sugar can have negative effects on our health when consumed in large quantities. To answer some questions on the topic, we spoke with nutritionist Linda Montpetit. From the difference between good and bad sugars to tips on how to lower your intake, read on to learn more about this sweet subject.

 

Absolutely not! ‘’Sugar is essential to the proper functioning of our bodies as well as our minds. The goal is not to cut yourself off completely, but rather to choose wisely,’’ explains Montpetit. The negative consequences linked to the consumption of carbs do not come from the natural sugars found in foods, but rather from added sugars or those found in foods that are nothing but empty calories (without nutritional value). It is therefore important to choose good sugars over bad ones.

To know how to differentiate the good from the bad, simply ask yourself if the food you are eating is good for your health. Fruits, yogurt, beans and fibres are a few examples of sources of good sugars, since our bodies absorb them slowly and we feel full for a longer period of time. These sugars are called ‘slow sugars’ and are the type to look for.

 

Bad sugars come from foods with empty calories, like candy and store-bought cookies. ‘’They are bad in the sense that they offer no nutritional value compared to yogurt or a piece of fruit,’’ adds Montpetit.  Foods with empty calories are absorbed quickly and are therefore less satiating. What’s more, sugars added to food to give it a better taste are not recommended, since they are digested quickly. ‘’People have a tendency to think of white sugar when we speak of added sugar, but honey, brown sugar and maple syrup are all added sugars that are not any better for one’s health,’’ explains Montpetit. ‘’They’re all just as sugary as the other.’’

 

Many people think that artificial sugar is better for one’s health since it does not contain any calories, but that is not the case. Montpetit does not recommend these types of sugars, as they support the need for a sweet taste and don’t encourage people to learn to appreciate food as is. ‘’Even though they are deemed safe by Health Canada, we do not yet know the long-term effects since they are still relatively new,’’ she says.

In the short-run, cavities are the most frequent problem related to over-consumption of candy and sugar. In the long term, too much sugar can lead to obesity, since when we add sugar to foods, we’re also adding calories. Plus, excess weight and obesity are often associated to Type 2 diabetes.