Sugar: health benefits and harms

Sugar is a rather controversial product. Its addition to food and drinks makes life better and brighter, improves mood, and all this due to its sweet taste. In addition to influencing mood, it is used as a flavor enhancer and preservative. But at the same time, when consumed in large quantities, sugar can act as a real poison for health. Therefore, it is worthwhile to carefully understand what kind of substance it is and “what it is eaten with”.

Types of sugar

You can divide sugar according to several criteria.

The first classification divides sugar into the following types - natural, which is part of products (for example, fructose in berries and lactose in milk), and added - it is well-known refined, added to many famous drinks (Coca-Cola, concentrated purchased juices and etc.) and pastries. The first type of sugar is considered the best for consumption.

The second classification is more familiar to us and distinguishes the following types of sugar (consider the most famous):

1. Granulated sugar - granulated sugar or beet sugar. The most popular and used by mankind - almost 60% of sugar is made from the root beet of sugar beets.
2. Cane sugar - obtained from cane juice. We often see it in brown - it is unrefined cane sugar, it has a pronounced smell of molasses.
3. Maple sugar is probably the oldest of all presented. Even the indigenous peoples of America found a way to isolate sugar from maple, however, it had a liquid appearance. Now it is called syrup. Leaving him overnight in the cold, they received "sweet ice" - ice cream. Now maple sugar is produced by evaporating maple juice.
4. Palm sugar - extracted from sugar palm and is popular in eastern Asia. It does not look like the white crystals we are used to. Such sugar rather resembles dried caramel - the same color and viscous consistency.
5. Grape sugar is the most insidious and harmful to the figure of all. It has less sweetness, so it needs to be added to the products more than others. At the same time, calories are not less than others.
6. Malt sugar - isolated from cereals. It is rarely seen in the kitchen, but it is always in abundance in beer factories, as it participates in the fermentation process, accelerates it, feeding the yeast.
7. Coconut sugar - obtained from the pulp of coconut. It is produced without heat treatment.

What is the difference between cane sugar and white

The most basic difference between cane sugar and ordinary beet sugar is the way they are processed.

1. Beet sugar is obtained by thinly slicing the root of the sugar beet, which results in the release of sugar juice. It is filtered out, cleaned. By heating it, crystals called granulated sugar are obtained.
2. Cane sugar has a more complex stage in the production process - it includes the use of bone semi-coke, a substance obtained by carbonization of animal bones. Such an ingredient helps whiten and filter sugar. If it is removed from production, the result will be unrefined cane sugar, also allowed for consumption.
3. This, by the way, is another difference - beet sugar is used only in refined form, while cane sugar can be seen even unpeeled in the store.
4. When using cane sugar, you need to be sure that it is not made from a GMO product, which can not be said about beet sugar. As you know, eating genetically modified foods has a negative effect on the functioning of the liver, kidneys and other organs of a living organism.

How much sugar can be consumed per day

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sugar intake should be no more than 5-6% of daily calories consumed. If you translate into the usual numbers, then this is 30 g - about 6 teaspoons of sugar. You must admit that we can use much more sugar per day if we take into account its addition to drinks and food products, especially in confectionery.

For children, this figure is even lower - only 1.5–2 teaspoons. And if adults can still control its consumption, then it is more difficult with children. Kids are very fond of sweet candies, and making them drink bitter tea is a real problem.

Composition and calorie content

Sugar is a carbohydrate found in many foods and has many names. In milk, it is lactose useful for the body; in fruits and berries, fructose. It contains many useful macro- and microelements - calcium, iron, sodium and potassium, as well as B vitamins. Unrefined cane sugar is also rich in, among other things, phosphorus, zinc and vitamin C.

Calorie content of sugar is 400 kcal per 100 g of product. Agree, this is not a small figure, especially if you calculate how much sugar we consume per day, eating a piece of cake or drinking a cup of sweet tea.

What is sugar good for?

General benefit

Many people know about the dangers of sugar, so there are more supporters of its negative effects. But it is worth remembering about its positive qualities, which can play an important role for health when eating sweets in the right amounts. It is also important what to get this sugar from - preference should be given to fruits and berries. Sugar in these products is absorbed by the body easier.

Sugar, due to its generous calorie content, is an excellent energy supplier. No wonder it is added along with caffeine in energy used for energy.

Sugar obtained industrially stimulates the functioning of certain human organs - for example, the liver. By adding sugar to food, blood circulation in the brain improves, and the pancreas begins to produce insulin, which promotes the release of the hormone of happiness - serotonin.

For women

For the female, even greater joy will be the fact that sugar can make a large number of skin-friendly scrubs and masks that nourish the skin and reduce skin inflammation.

For men

The high carbohydrate content in sugar provides the body with extra energy. Therefore, products with the addition of sugar will help to quickly refresh themselves under heavy physical exertion, give the body strength and energy. But it is worth remembering the permissible norms, because sugar benefits can easily be transformed into harm.

During pregnancy

Drinking cane-sugar drinks will reduce swelling and reduce toxicosis. A drink with the addition of sugar and a small amount of ginger (it should be used 1 time per day) will help best - it effectively reduces unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy, improves metabolism and digestion.

When breastfeeding

When breastfeeding, it is also worth replacing beet sugar with cane sugar. It contains more nutrients than regular sugar, which through milk will be transmitted to the baby. Sugar promotes the production of the hormone of happiness, which helps to recover faster after childbirth.

The permissible dose for nursing women is 2-3 teaspoons.

For children

Drinking sugar at the right dosage is good for children. The quick breakdown of carbohydrates and their conversion into energy will give children extra strength, especially since at an early age they are very mobile. Sugar favorably affects some functions of the child's body, one of which is improving brain function. Moreover, a sweet product will enhance the mood of the child.

Permissible daily sugar for a child is 1-2 teaspoons.

When losing weight

Despite the widespread belief that the complete exclusion of sugar from the diet contributes to weight loss, studies have confirmed more. When consuming sugar in acceptable amounts (30 g per day), a person is also able to lose weight. Far worse on the figure will be affected by fats.

What can replace sugar with weight loss

When a person begins to adhere to a proper diet or diet, the question begins to arise - is it possible to use sugar? Many are inclined to the negative answer, since a large consumption of sugar can lead to extra pounds, and through them to more serious problems and diseases. Currently, there are many sweeteners, sweeteners, and so on. But even their choice should be approached very responsibly, since they can also be harmful to health.

There are two types of sugar substitute - synthetic and natural. Of course, natural ones will bring less harm and more benefits, the most popular of which are fructose and sorbitol.

Fructose is found in large quantities in fruits and berries, and doctors often recommend it to diabetics. Given its good digestibility, it is also useful for children and the elderly, and those who follow their figure, since fructose does not lead to weight gain.

Sorbitol is made from corn starch, but it is also found in mountain ash (it was originally extracted from the berries of this plant). Calorie content is 4 kcal / g, which is no different from regular sugar. By sweetness, it is not inferior to sugar at all, but it is better absorbed by the body and does not lead to the appearance of extra pounds due to the fact that it is not a carbohydrate. Also, one of the advantages of sorbitol is the fact that it is an excellent nutrient medium for the beneficial intestinal microflora that produces vitamins of group B. Sorbitol can be safely added to drinks, pastries, and other foods that require sugar.

Among natural sweeteners, maple syrup and Jerusalem artichoke products, which are gaining popularity recently, can still be distinguished - its syrup can also be used as a substitute for sugar. They can also be replaced in baking, as they are heat resistant.

But nevertheless, the most popular and beloved by all is honey, which contains many trace elements useful to the human body. It can be called the most useful and affordable sugar substitute for all.

Among the synthetic sweeteners, aspartame and cyclamate are isolated. They are much sweeter than sugar, so they are consumed in much lower quantities. They do not affect the number on the scales and do not harm health.

Cane sugar: benefits and harms

Cane sugar is practically the most healthy of all its cousins, especially unrefined brown. A positive difference from beet sugar is the fact that it is not refined and not processed with slaked lime, therefore it contains more useful substances.

1. The benefits of antioxidants. Due to its plant origin, cane sugar is rich in antioxidants that resist infection and strengthen immunity.Antioxidant properties are manifested due to the high content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which act as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antiviral substances. Antioxidants also prevent the risk of cancer, as they can affect free radicals. The development of cancer is also hindered by the minerals and the alkaline environment of the product contained in sugar.
2. Supporting the human immune system. The content of calcium, copper, manganese, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, a diverse amount of vitamins supports well-being. This counteracts cancer and stabilizes blood sugar in people suffering from fever, cleanses the urinary system, heart, kidneys, brain, eyes and genitals, while lowering the level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. The product provides relief in various diseases. Sugarcane itself contains a large amount of vitamin B, inorganic salts and organic acids such as fumaric, succinic, citric and malic.
3. Safe energy supplement. Drinking drinks with it and with a few drops of lemon provides energy for the whole day due to its high calorie content.
4. Elimination of problems with the skin. Alpha hydroxyl acid found in sugarcane products is good for the skin. The substance prevents acne, reduces inflammation of existing ones, moisturizes the skin and prevents aging. Therefore, cane sugar masks are very useful.
5. Dental health. Unlike other sugars, cane does not affect tooth decay. The content of a large number of minerals in it and products from it prevents tooth decay, and also limits problems with halitosis.

But you should not forget about his harm. The fact is that in large quantities, cane sugar leads to diabetes, and sometimes to hypertension. Therefore, it is necessary to use it in moderation and not to forget about the possible harm.

The benefits and harms of coconut sugar

Coconut sugar is produced with minimal heat treatment, due to which it retains all its beneficial properties and substances. Such a product contains B vitamins, zinc, iron, potassium, magnesium, as well as beneficial amino acids and antioxidants. It is less harmful to the figure and overall health than beet sugar. The reason for this is the low glycemic index, which indicates the rate of breakdown of sugar in the blood and its conversion to glucose. With rapid breakdown, glucose can cause fat formation. With slow intake, glucose serves as a source of energy, and not a new fat layer. Such a product is better and more useful for the body. Despite this obvious plus, the caloric content of coconut sugar is just as high and does not differ from usual. Therefore, when maintaining a sedentary lifestyle, it will not be possible to maintain a figure even taking into account the positive glycemic index of coconut sugar.

Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that coconut sugar is a carbohydrate, and it is not advisable for people with diabetes.

Liquid grape sugar: benefits and harms

As in the case of coconut sugar, heat treatment is also not used for grape production, and all the useful components of the raw materials used remain in the product of its processing. It will contain vitamins C, K (rarely found in sugar and very useful for the body), A and group B. Copper is distinguished from macro- and microelements - it is more in grape sugar than in others.

Antioxidants - flavonoids and quarticins - will bring a lot of benefits to the body - the latter has an anti-inflammatory and detoxifying effect on unwanted viruses and bacteria. With moderate use, liquid grape sugar can improve digestion and lower blood cholesterol.

Liquid grape sugar can often be found in products sold. It can be added both to the regular diet, as well as to sports and baby food, which makes it a good and useful sweetener.

But in order to get the most benefit from it, you need to remember the daily intake of it: for an adult, it is 5 teaspoons, for children - 2 times less.

Benefits of Burnt Sugar

Everyone tried a caramel rooster on a stick in childhood. This sweet candy is nothing but burnt sugar. And with the right amount of use, such a lollipop is not only safe for the body, it is even useful.

Burnt sugar effectively helps with a dry cough, so it can be given in moderation to children with colds - it’s kind of a sweet medicine. This caramel helps to eliminate sore throat and relieves irritation of the mucous membranes. Moreover, sugar slightly changes the composition of the mucus, due to which it comes out when coughing with all colds viruses and bacteria.

But it is worth remembering individual intolerance. For example, in people with hypersensitivity, burnt sugar can only worsen the situation and increase cough due to additional throat irritation.

Diabetics are also not recommended to eat it, since the caloric content during the heat treatment does not change, and the carbohydrates contained can affect the level of glucose in the blood.

Sugar in medicine

With diabetes

Not at all stages of diabetes, doctors forbid the use of sugar - its amount is simply reduced. For diabetes, grape sugar is recommended because it has a low glycemic index compared to regular or cane. But its quantity should be strictly controlled and not go beyond the permissible. Still, some doctors advise replacing sugar with naturally occurring sweeteners.

Important: glycemic index of white sugar - 70 units, brown 55.

With pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas, so the choice of diet at such moments must be approached correctly. Carbohydrates are expensive to digest, since the entire load in this case falls on the digestive organs. Therefore, doctors advise to refrain from eating sweets and take the help of natural sweeteners.

With gastritis

Gastritis is also an inflammatory process, only in this case the gastric mucosa suffers. As in the previous case, it is better to refuse sugar and get carbohydrates from natural sweets.

For the intestines

The use of sugar in reasonable quantities favorably affects the intestinal microflora, since the product is a kind of food source for microorganisms. Of great benefit from all species will bring grape and reed.

For constipation

When a person has constipation, you need to understand that this is caused by impaired bowel function. Therefore, it does not need to be loaded with additional work in the form of splitting carbohydrates. At such moments, it is better to give up sweets and give preference to fermented milk products that improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

With gout

With gout, uric acid deposits in the body. Sugar, of course, does not contribute to its formation, but prevents its removal. Therefore, with gout, it is advised to abandon sugar in any of its manifestations.

With colitis

Inflammation of the colon mucosa is called colitis. For many diseases associated with impaired healthy functioning of the organs involved in digestion, doctors advise eating simple food. It should not bear the load during digestion.Sugar, despite the content of easily digestible carbohydrates, does not belong to such food, so its use should be minimized.

For the liver

The liver is actively involved in the metabolism, on the proper functioning of which depends on the risk of diabetes. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor the amount of sweets consumed, since its excess can disrupt the mechanism of the liver and lead to many diseases.

With hemorrhoids

The appearance of hemorrhoids can be affected by increased intra-abdominal pressure, which often occurs even with bloating. Flatulence is a common problem when consuming sugary sweets in large quantities, because when you break down carbohydrates, bacteria emit carbon dioxide. Therefore, uncontrolled eating sweets can lead to an exacerbation of the disease.

With cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is an infectious disease of the gallbladder. Inflammation is caused by the appearance of unwanted bacteria and viruses. The most enjoyable food for all bacteria, as you know, are sugars and their carbohydrates (remember microbiology - all nutrient media are prepared on the basis of carbohydrates). Therefore, for any bacteriological diseases, it is worth reducing the use of sugars to a minimum so as not to create a favorable environment for their development.

Sugar in cosmetology

For face

Many saw scrubs for facial skin with obvious interspersed sugar in the mixture. And if such masks can be made at home and at a lower price, why pay more? Moreover, the fact that you will know the composition of the mask will be an additional plus.

1. Mask scrub made from sugar with lemon. Such a mask will allow you to get rid of rashes, as well as give the skin freshness and hydration. Its preparation is very simple. It is necessary to mix 2 tablespoons of sugar with lemon juice in the same amount. Gently wipe the problem areas of the skin with a gentle mixture and leave for 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. This scrub can be used every day.
2. Mask scrub made from sugar and honey. This scrub is suitable for all skin types. To prepare it, you will need several tablespoons of sugar and honey in equal amounts. Mix the components thoroughly, apply the mixture on the skin of the face and hold the mask for 10 minutes. Wash off the scrub with warm water. The procedure can be repeated up to 3 times a week. This mask can be used not only for the skin of the face, but also for the body. She is a good anti-cellulite remedy.

For hair

As for the face and body, the scalp also needs exfoliation from keratinized cells, as well as to get rid of excess fat and dandruff.

To prepare a scrub, just mix sugar and regular hair balm and massage the scalp with massage movements.

The best way to accelerate hair growth is a mask with mustard. For its preparation, the following components are needed: 1 tablespoon of mustard powder, the same amount of sugar, water, olive oil and one egg yolk. Mix and rub all components into the scalp. The head should be wrapped in a towel and left for 20 minutes (no longer needed, since mustard can burn the skin and the effect is the opposite of what you want), then rinse with warm water. Repeat the procedure 2 times a week.

For body

1. Body Scrub. Sugar based can make a good body scrub. To do this, just add sugar crystals to the shower gel: you get an exfoliating keratinizing agent. And when using cane unrefined sugar, you can feel the pleasant and sweet aroma of molasses.
2. Body lotion. Few people know, but powdered sugar can be used not only for baking. For dry and weathered skin, you can make body lotion on its basis - just mix the powder with olive oil and apply the mixture on the skin for 15-20 minutes, then rinse the lotion with water.

Harm and contraindications

The harm to sugar consists mainly in the fact that when it is absorbed into the blood, it quickly increases the level of glucose in the blood. Then just as quickly this level goes down.Such jumps in glucose can lead to a set of extra pounds (since the product contains only empty calories) or, much worse, to diabetes.

Surely everyone remembers that dentists advise not to consume a lot of sugar, because it is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, the reproduction of which contributes to the development of caries.

Excessive consumption of sugar and foods containing it in large quantities (think about Coca-Cola) provokes heart problems, a worsening of the immune system, a jump in blood pressure and, no matter how strange it may seem, nervousness (after all, sweet usually improves mood, but when used in reasonable quantities).

For this reason, the optimal amount of sugar per day is 10 teaspoons. These data are given both taking into account the pure sugar that is added to tea or coffee, and taking into account already bought sweet foods - cake, cookies, juices and so on. Therefore, if you want to eat a slice of cake, you need to refuse to add sugar to tea.

Could there be an allergy to sugar

Allergy to sugar itself is practically absent, but nevertheless, cases of intolerance to certain types of these products are found. Usually, an allergic reaction occurs due to the body's inability to digest sugar and is manifested by nausea, flatulence or diarrhea.

The most common sugar allergy is lactose intolerance.

How to choose and store sugar

When choosing sugar, you should pay attention to the date of packaging, the presence of foreign matter and the country of production (correlate it with the type of product selected). It is better to give preference to unrefined sugar, since due to the peculiarities of its production, more useful substances remain in it.

Store sugar in a dry room with low humidity at a temperature of 15 ° C. Packed in packages, it is better to pour the product into a glass container with a closing lid. Subject to conditions, it can retain its properties for up to 10 years.

How to make sugar at home

Making sugar at home is pretty simple. You only need one ingredient - sugar beets.

1. First, wash the beets, clean them of dirt, then cut into small cubes, put them in a pan and pour water so that the liquid covers them completely.
2. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat and cook the beets until it softens.
3. Then remove the pan from the heat and filter the beetroot juice with gauze. It must be boiled until it becomes as thick as caramel.
4. The resulting syrup is placed in a plastic or glass container and set aside in a dark, cool place. When cooled, the syrup will form crystals, which subsequently need to be crushed into small grains, similar to ordinary sugar sand.

What can be made from sugar: recipes

Candy floss

Of course, homemade cotton candy will not be similar to the one we are used to seeing from the device - it looks more like caramelized threads. But with this recipe, you can please the children and yourself at any time of the year. Progress has now reached the point that the device for making cotton candy can be purchased home - it will be a small-sized, compact drum. Consider both ways of making a sweet dessert.

Cooking cotton candy in a pan
To do this, you need the following ingredients:

• drinking water - 150 ml;
• granulated sugar - 400 g;
• apple vinegar - 2 drops;
• Chinese stick (for wrapping cotton wool) or another strong stick;
• food coloring - optional.

As a container for cooking, it is better to use a saucepan or stewpan.

Cooking:

1. Mix water, sugar and add a few drops of vinegar to them. It is necessary to ensure that sugar does not crystallize on the walls of the container. If you want to get colored cotton candy, you can add a little food coloring. Also for the taste you can add essences of various tastes - it can be mint, orange, berries and many others.
2. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and heat with constant stirring. Once the liquid is brought to a boil, remove the stewpan from the heat and cool. After syrup reaches room temperature, bring to a boil again. And so 5 times. The syrup should turn out to be golden in color and viscous consistency.
3. To make cotton candy turn into thin threads, you need to use a whisk. With simple movements - dipping and quickly raising the whisk up - you need to wind the threads on a stick until you get a hat of the desired size.

Cooking cotton candy in the apparatus
You will need the following ingredients:

• granulated sugar - 1 kg;
• corn syrup - 250 ml;
• drinking water - 250 ml;
• salt - a pinch;
• Chinese sticks (or something similar);
• food coloring, flavoring extracts - optional.

When using food coloring, add 2 drops, and flavor extract - 1 teaspoon.

Cooking:

1. Mix sugar, corn syrup, water and salt in a saucepan and mix until the sugar melts. By the way, it can crystallize on the walls of the tank, so it must be carefully removed from them.
2. Heat the mixture to 160 ° C, then transfer it to another shallow container with the addition of dye and extract.
3. Prepare a cotton candy machine. The resulting syrup is poured onto the disk during rotation. From heating, the syrup will begin to disintegrate into threads that need to be collected and wound on a stick.

The threads remaining on the walls can be used to make candy.

Lollipops

When preparing candy at home, you can experiment a lot with their appearance. It can be the usual round-shaped sweets in the form of various animals (if you use tins) or a lollipop made of small sugar crystals.

Making syrup for regular candy can be taken from homemade candy floss recipe. It needs to be poured into molds, cooled, waiting for complete solidification, and voila - the candies are ready.

Making lollipops is a long process, but it can be interesting for both adults and children.

The following ingredients must be prepared:

• water - 500 ml;
• granulated sugar - 800 g;
• food coloring, flavoring extracts - optional.

When using food coloring, add 2 drops, and flavor extract - 1 teaspoon. You will also need glass jars and thread (you can use the usual wooden stick-skewer).

Stages of preparation:

1. Prepare glass jars - they must be thoroughly washed with hot water and dried.
2. Cut the cotton thread a few centimeters larger than the can used and fix it so that the thread hangs in the can in the middle, without touching the walls, at a distance of 2-3 cm from the bottom. To arrange it this way, you can wrap it on a pencil, which you put on the neck so that the thread hangs in a jar.
3. The thread must be moistened with water and rolled in sugar, thus giving the future crystals a platform for their formation.
4. Bring the water in a stewpan to a boil and gradually add sugar to it - 250 g each until it is completely dissolved. After all the added sugar has dissolved, remove the stewpan from the heat.
5. When using food coloring and extracts, add all components to the syrup and mix thoroughly.
6. The syrup must be cooled at room temperature for 10-15 minutes, after which it is poured into jars so that the sugar floss is immersed in it.
7. Cans with syrup and thread (chopsticks) put in a cool place, protected from bright sunlight, and cover with cling film.
8. The first crystals should appear after 4-5 hours. If there are no changes in a day, you need to boil the syrup again with a large addition of sugar and pour it back into the jar.
9. The candy will grow to the optimum size within 3 days. After pulling the candy out of the can, you need to give it 10 minutes to dry and then enjoy a delicious candy.

How to get rid of sugar addiction

Getting rid of your addiction to sweets is very similar to getting rid of your smoking habit, so it should go away gradually. A new diet should not be made with the sharp exception of sugar from life, because the body needs to adapt and get used to the changes.

You need to determine the main source of sugar (perhaps a lot of Coca-Cola or a lot of sweet caramels) - and find a useful alternative. Purchased juices can first be diluted with water, making them less concentrated, and after a while completely abandon them, replacing them with freshly squeezed juices.

What can be replaced

It is better to replace sugar with its natural sources - fruits and berries (they are full of fructose), dairy products (many of them are rich in lactose). Then the body will not suffer from breaking on sweet soda and sweets. Try replacing the lollipop with a date - the same sweetness, but much more benefits.

Can sugar be given to animals

The answer to this question is unequivocal - no. Animals, the diet of which is mostly meat (that is, of animal origin), can not properly absorb vegetable carbohydrates. Therefore, treating your dog or cat with a piece of chocolate candy, the owner can harm their health.

The first problem is the possibility of obesity, because the digestion of such food is very slow, and glucose will be stored in fat. The second problem is digestion, since the amount of carbohydrates contained in sweets is not able to digest. And in some cases, sugar can cause poisoning. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor the diet of your four-legged friend.

Interesting facts about sugar

1. The first crystallized sugar (as we know it) was obtained many centuries ago from sugarcane. Back in 336 BC he was able to get in India.
2. Sugar is a great fuel. If you mix it with saltpeter and corn syrup, you can fill them with a small rocket. Unbelievable but true.
3. The first sweetener was created by chance and was supposed to be a drug to kill insects.
4. It’s not sugar that destroys teeth, but bacteria that feed on carbohydrates. Therefore, any other food rich in carbohydrates will provoke tooth decay no worse than sugar.
5. Sugar addiction is a genetic change associated with the hormone of hunger - ghrelin, which makes a person wish for sweets.
6. Carbonated drinks may contain up to 100 g of sugar - 3 times more than the daily norm.

Photo of sugar