Let's understand the basics of SUGAR!!

Sugar is classified by nutritionists as a carbohydrate.  Carbohydrates provide your body with it's primary source of fuel - glucose. When they are combined with oxygen in cells, carbon dioxide and water are formed and energy is released.

Glucose + Oxygen = Energy + Carbon Dioxide + Water

Sugars are an important source of dietary energy.  Glucose is used as fuel by your body's cells, and your brain is almost entirely dependent on it for all it's functions, including thinking.  It is the fuel needed by your brain, organs and muscles to function and perform everyday activities. 

But what happens when we consume too much sugar?

Excess sugars are stored in your liver as glycogen.  These stores are mobilised if you are not getting enough energy from your diet or if energy is needed quickly for exercise.  If these stores are full, sugars are converted into fat and stored in adipose tissue.

What about the sugar in fruits?  Is this good or bad for us?  

Sugar occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables and nuts and whilst this means that these foods have a higher calorific value (all sugars provide the same number of calories), they also contain other nutrients that help provide us with a balanced diet for good health. 

We are encouraged to eat lots of fruit, but 1 medium sized banana contains approximately 18g of sugar.  However, that banana will also provide you with approximately 6g of your recommended daily fibre intake.  This is important to protect us against diseases such as bowel cancer.  Fibre can also help fill you up - something that you don't get from 'free sugars' (the artist formerly known as 'added sugar').  Fruit can also provide us with other nutrients such as potassium and flavonoids which can help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease respectively. 

So in conclusion, we need sugar in order to provide our body with the energy it needs to function.  However, in order to stay healthy, we need to ensure that the majority of our sugar is coming from natural sources, rather than added sugars, or free sugars, which provide us with very little additional nutritional value. 

Downloads

• The Lowdown on Free Sugar

Lesson Activity

1) Take the quiz question and see if you are currently showing symptoms that might indicate an overreliance on sugar!

2) Download the 'Lowdown on Free Sugar' file attached to expand your knowledge a little further