What does sugar do in your body? Layman's terms please!

LizJ08

I am in need of some knowledge. I am somewhat of a sugar addict and I feel like if I understood better what it does in your body, why it's so harmful to your health, and how it causes you to gain or keep from losing weight, I would feel empowered to make better choices. So please send me your links, explanations, advice, etc. Thanks in advance!!

mallory3411

Calories in vs calories out is what affects your weight loss.

Sugar isn't the greatest for you however it depends on what type of sugar you are consuming. Are you getting sugar from things like fruits? Or are you getting it from candy?

Google is your friend.

LuckyLeprechaun

Sugar is the fuel for your cells. If you have more fuel than you use, your body will store it.

UponThisRock

It converts to glucose and is used as the body's primary energy source.

It can be harmful in an indirect way if you're eating non-nutrient dense sources of sugar. You can end up over your calorie requirements and/or deficient in some essential nutrients.

Some say that it "spikes your insulin and makes you store fat," but those people have no idea what they're talking about.

LizJ08

It converts to glucose and is used as the body's primary energy source.

It can be harmful in an indirect way if you're eating non-nutrient dense sources of sugar. You can end up over your calorie requirements and/or deficient in some essential nutrients.

Some say that it "spikes your insulin and makes you store fat," but those people have no idea what they're talking about.

LizJ08

Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

bcattoes

There is no simple answer to that. To get a good answer you really need to learn about carbohydrates in general.

This is a thorough, yet easy to understand article about carbohydrates:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/carbohydrates-full-story/index.html#what-are-carbohydrates

LizJ08

Thanks, will check it out!

Rae6503

Makes things taste yummy.

UponThisRock

Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

LizJ08

:laugh: yes, it does make things taste yummy.

kiwiclove

everything in moderation lol, like others said excess sugar gets stored in the form of fat, but sugar is very important for the body It's the mainstay for your brain. That's why a sign of low blood sugar is confusion, you're brain isn't getting any thing to run on.

AntWrig

everything in moderation lol, like others said excess sugar gets stored in the form of fat, but sugar is very important for the body It's the mainstay for your brain. That's why a sign of low blood sugar is confusion, you're brain isn't getting any thing to run on.

It's not "excess" sugar. Anything you consume over your maintenance will be stored as fat.

RillSoji

Here's a good presentation on the topic of sugar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

It's long but IMO worth the watch. I think the best point I got out of it was that sugar is alright if it's wrapped in nutrition. Fruit as the best example. Otherwise, avoid refined sugars as much as possible. My goal is to keep it down to 6 tsp a day.

Sidesteal

Here's a good presentation on the topic of sugar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

It's long but IMO worth the watch. I think the best point I got out of it was that sugar is alright if it's wrapped in nutrition. Fruit as the best example. Otherwise, avoid refined sugars as much as possible. My goal is to keep it down to 6 tsp a day.

Not directing this post at the above person, but here's a good analysis/posting that goes into detail about the above video:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/

OnceAndFutureAthlete

I'm a believer in "a calorie is a calorie" when it comes to weight loss, in that your body doesn't store one kind more than another (or maybe that the jury still seems to be "out" on this one).

HOWEVER, I have all but eliminated sugar (and simple carbs and artificial sweetener) from my diet because losing weight is not just about reducing calories, but the ability to stick with one's calorie plan. And I have found that sugar makes me crave more sugar, and makes me hungrier sooner than protein, complex carbs and even fats. So having sugar in my diet makes it harder to stick to my diet. Thereby slowing my weight loss.

I always had a "sweet tooth." When I started this round of weight loss, I went on a VERY low carb diet (24g of carbs/day, basically just meat and green vegetables) for about a week, and the first 3 days were tough, but since then, the cravings have gone and I really don't miss sugar now. It has really surprised me, but sweets just don't appeal to me much at all anymore. Unless I eat some and then I want more and it takes another day of very low carbs to get back on track. So I now stick to about 50-70 grams of carbs total per day.

Now this is just me, and I have depression/seratonin issues, so YMMV. But, I'm down 35 pound since December, so it seems to be working for me!

[ETA current carb info.]

Otis_Toussaint

Here's a good presentation on the topic of sugar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

It's long but IMO worth the watch. I think the best point I got out of it was that sugar is alright if it's wrapped in nutrition. Fruit as the best example. Otherwise, avoid refined sugars as much as possible. My goal is to keep it down to 6 tsp a day.

Not directing this post at the above person, but here's a good analysis/posting that goes into detail about the above video:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/

this

LabRat529

It converts to glucose and is used as the body's primary energy source.

It can be harmful in an indirect way if you're eating non-nutrient dense sources of sugar. You can end up over your calorie requirements and/or deficient in some essential nutrients.

Some say that it "spikes your insulin and makes you store fat," but those people have no idea what they're talking about.

This.

LabRat529

Not directing this post at the above person, but here's a good analysis/posting that goes into detail about the above video:

http://www.alanaragonblog.com/2010/01/29/the-bitter-truth-about-fructose-alarmism/

And this.

Sugar is not scary, not toxic, it's just fuel.

Eat nothing but sugar, and you'll be deficient in other nutrients.

Its also easier to go over your calorie limit if you eat/drink sugar laden stuff.

That's about it.

grinch031

Sugar seems to have this unique ability to cause the average person to consume more calories than they expend.

grinch031

Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?

Bentley2718

Sugar seems to have this unique ability to cause the average person to consume more calories than they expend.

Oh, because no one goes over their necessary calories when they eat fat, protein, or other carbohydrates, just when they eat sugar. That's great to know!

grinch031

Sugar seems to have this unique ability to cause the average person to consume more calories than they expend.

Oh, because no one goes over their necessary calories when they eat fat, protein, or other carbohydrates, just when they eat sugar. That's great to know!

Well how many people do you know that don't eat any sugar and have chronic weight problems?

BondBomb

Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?

Because most people's bodies function as they were intended. The inability to properly metabolize sugar is an anomaly. Not the norm.

Silverkittycat

I like sugar.

What if Ray Peat is right?

http://raypeat.com/articles/articles/glycemia.shtml

UponThisRock

Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?

Because the research has overwhelmingly shown that it's the excess calories that cause weight gain

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22351714

Fay84Vegan

Go on you tube and watch 'Sugar the Bitter Truth' That'll explain it all for you

Fay84Vegan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

stormieweather

Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?

Because most people's bodies function as they were intended. The inability to properly metabolize sugar is an anomaly. Not the norm.

Actually 25.8% of the population had diabetes in 2010. That is 1 in 4 people. Of those, a third were undiagnosed. That isn't even counting the people who had abnormally high A1C levels but weren't high enough to be diagnosed with full-blown diabetes.

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/PUBS/statistics/

UponThisRock

Yes, I've heard that too. Thanks. Too much does make your blood sugar rise and then drop really low, which can affect you emotionally and physically though, I think....that much I know!

This is an issue if you're diabetic or hyper or hypoglycemic. Most people metabolize sugar just fine.

And how do you know that most people metabolize sugar just fine?

Because most people's bodies function as they were intended. The inability to properly metabolize sugar is an anomaly. Not the norm.

Actually 25.8% of the population had diabetes in 2010. That is 1 in 4 people. Of those, a third were undiagnosed. That isn't even counting the people who had abnormally high A1C levels but weren't high enough to be diagnosed with full-blown diabetes.

http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/PUBS/statistics/

most [mohst]
adjective, superl. of much or many with more as compar.
1. in the greatest quantity, amount, measure, degree, or number: to win the most votes.
2. in the majority of instances: Most operations are successful.
3. greatest, as in size or extent: the most talent.

LizJ08

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm excited to look at the links you all sent. I know different people overeat different foods, but for me, I tend to be more successful with staying on track if I cut way back on sugar intake because it does seem to me that the more I eat, the more I want and more "hungry" I feel.