Know Your Sugars

Sugars are one of the most misunderstood parts of our daily food supply. Many people believe that eating sugars can lead to certain forms of sicknesses, however, research has failed to link sugars to the development or cause of any chronic disease. Even though cavities may be associated with eating sugar, cavities can also result from eating other carbohydrates including starches.

Sugars are common food ingredients that are found in many forms. Since sugars are carbohydrates, they are a contributor of calories for the body - an important energy source.

There are no nutritional differences among sugars. The body uses all types of sugars in the same way. During digestion, sugars are broken down and enter into the bloodstream. They travel through the blood stream to body cells, where they provide energy and help form proteins.

As carbohydrates, sugars are preferred as a fuel during high-intensity activity (1, 2).

Sugar does not cause hyperactivity, nor does it negatively affect mental performance (3). Further, no particular group of children reacts to sugars differently from the general population. Actually, research suggests that sugars tend to calm both children and adults (4). This could just go unnoticed due to other influences, such as a birthday party in which everyone is excited to begin with.
References
1 Koivisto, V.A. (1986) The physiology of marathon running. Sci. Prog. Oxf. 70:109-127.
2 Saltin, B., Karlsson, J. (1977) Muscle glycogen utilization during work of different intensities. IN: Pernow, B., Saltin, B. (eds) Muscle Metabolism During Exercise. New York: Plenum, pp 289-300.
3 White, J.W., Wolraich, M. (1995) The effect of sugar on behavior and mental performance. Am J Clin Nutr 62:242S-249S.
4 Glinsmann, W.H., Irausquin, H., Park, Y.L.K. (1986) Report from FDA's Sugars Task Force: Evaluation of health aspects of sugars contained in carbohydrate sweeteners. J. Nutr. 116 (11S): S1-S216.