Refined sugar is one of the most addictive subtances. According to some research it has been shown to be as addictive as cocaine and heroin. So what is it about getting that sugar fix? And what can you do to ween yourself off of this gateway drug?
Rarely do we ever hear anything about the benefits of sugar, but that's not to say there aren't any. Whole cane sugar (a.k.a. jaggery, sucanat, rapadura) is actually very rich in minerals, particularly iron. It's the refining process, where all of the molasses is removed to turn this natural substance into white granules, that removes all of the benefit.
According to whole foods expert Paul Pitchford, “Refined sugar passes quickly into the bloodstream in large amounts, giving the stomach and pancreas a shock. An acid condition forms which consumes the body's minerals quickly. Thus calcium is lost from the system, causing bone problems. The digestive system is weakened and food cannot be digested or assimilated properly. This leads to blood-sugar imbalance and to further craving for sugar.” So, in effect, and increasingly over time, refined sugar depletes your body of the very minerals that occur naturally in whole sugar cane.
So here are three things you can do to reverse this process of depletion from consuming white table sugar:
The best thing you can do to re-balance your blood sugar levels is to eat a diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Chew your food thoroughly at each meal in order to stimulate your digestive enzymes. And use sweeteners—even the good ones—sparingly!
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