The Best and Worst in Sugar

     Sugar is made of three things, Glucose, Galactose, and Fructose. Animals need those three things but humans don't. Foods contain any combination of those three elements.

     Sucrose is made from a combination of glucose and fructose. You find that in table sugar, beet sugar, and cane sugar.

     Lactose often called milk sugar is made of glucose and galactose. Dairy products contain this type.

     Glucose is the molecule that provides energy for life. All cells burn glucose to create energy. Our bodies need it so badly that if we don't consume enough our bodies are able to make it.

     Fructose provides sweetness and things like agave, maple syrup, honey, and high fructose corn syrup are caloric sweeteners. They are made from glucose and fructose. Fructose is the part that we crave for the sweet taste. The bad news is that fructose is addictive, and the important thing to consider is that our bodies don't need it at all.

     The effects of eating or drinking too much fructose are that it causes cell damage and death. The liver reacts to fructose exactly like it would if you drank alcohol.

     The addiction to sugars like this is very real but like with any other bad habit it can be kicked.