In today’s world, sugar is viewed as toxic and harmful to the human body. Although true when consumed without moderation, sugar is extremely vital to one’s overall well-being. With the media encouraging sugar-restrictive diets, Americans are misled into believing this sweet substance is the enemy and eliminating it is the solution for reaching weight loss goals. However, this is not the case. Sugar, through the consumption of natural and unprocessed foods, is essential in order to sustain optimal fitness. Although sugar is pernicious to the body, cutting glucose completely out of a diet is not the solution to a healthier lifestyle. The health conscious community never fails to reveal the flaws in reports made by dietitians and nutritionists that advise the limitations of certain foods. Food, by definition, is any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink, in order to maintain life and growth. The meals we mistake for actual food come in unnatural forms, often processed and overall …show more content…
The negative effects portrayed in these researches often forget to mention the health benefits of real whole foods infused with natural sugars. In “The Bitter Truth about Sugar and its Effects on Our Health,” Elizabeth Richards claims sugar is more addictive than cocaine. “Recent research with rats suggests that sugar is addictive and stimulates the brain’s reward centers even more robustly that cocaine” (Richards). The body’s negative response of withdrawal encouraging sugar-free diets can lead to stress, drowsiness and irregular levels of cortisol. This may be a short-term weight loss solution, nonetheless, removing sugar from a diet completely will only generate stronger cravings. “Sugar in the form of glucose is the preferred and most efficient fuel source” (Konie). The response is the body’s way of telling the brain it needs