Brown Sugar is Not Brown Rice

Question from Jack:

A question from Jack, one of the subscribers to the MericleDiet newsletter, "Reference your tip regarding diabetes. The only sugar I use is brown and is this a concern in my case?"

Answer:

The word "brown" has gotten a lot of play lately regarding "healthy eating." Brown rice and brown bread are both "in" while white bread and white rice are known to be "unhealthy." It would be nice if brown sugar was as good for you as brown rice or some brown breads made from whole grains with no added sugar. Unfortunately, brown sugar is only white sugar that has been colored brown, usually with molasses. Sugar of some variety is the most common food additive today. Sugar is added to almost everything, even potato chips. I still can't figure out why they would add sugar to potato chips, as if the salt and fat were not enough.

Varieties of Sugar

White sugar is extracted from the juice of sugar cane or beets. Once is has been extracted it is processed extensively to form a granulated white substance. This is sucrose, also known as table sugar, cane sugar, beet sugar, grape sugar, refined sugar or granulated sugar.

Raw Sugar is produced in the initial stages of making white sugar. It is usually somewhat brown in color and may contain bacteria and molds.

Brown sugar is usually made by simply adding molasses (or caramel food coloring) to white sugar.

Confectioner's sugar is made by crushing or grinding white sugar. Corn starch is added to prevent the formation of lumps.

Molasses is a thick dark syrup that is produced during sugar refinement.

A brief look at the molecular structure of the three common disaccharides, sucrose, lactose and maltose.

The molecule sucrose consists of one moiety of glucose connected to one moiety of fructose via an O-glycosidic linkage. This is a "disaccharide" ie two sugar molecules hooked together. Two other common disaccharides are lactose from milk and maltose commonly found in beer. Lactose is one moiety of galactose hooked to one moiety of glucose and maltose is two moieties of glucose hooked together. Sucrose is the most dangerous of these because human biochemistry has no way to deal with equal loads of fructose and glucose presented at the same time, since fructose short circuits the glycolytic pathway for glucose.

There has been much written about the dangers of sucrose but suffice it to say, adult onset diabetes mellitus is now epidemic. I feel that while both adult and juvenile diabetes may have to varying degrees the same common cause, ie confusion of the immature immune system by cow's milk with different degrees of expression, without the ongoing record levels of sucrose consumption in America, we would not be having this explosion of adult onset diabetes mellitus( a polite and confusing term for sugar toxicity).

Today's Health Tip:

Be very careful of sugar in any form. Read labels of all processed food carefully. If you have adult onset diabetes or any symptoms of it, like hypoglycemia, try to avoid sugar completely.

Please stay tuned for more interesting facts about other sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin, artificial sweeteners like Nutrasweet and a little ancient history with "meli maenomenon."

The MericleDiet makes it as easy as possible to "kick" the sugar habit. To visit the MericleDiet follow the link below:

http://www.DrMericle.com

Thanks for your time.

http://DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal organic chemistry, biochemistry and medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.

---

Eating Healthy -- Why?

The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More

Time Line of the Development of GlycoBiology and GlycoNutritionals

1880s - Characterization of monosaccharides by Emil Fischer.1952 - Fresh,... Read More

The Portfolio Diet: The Solution to Heart Disease

What if there was a combination of foods that were... Read More

Explanation of Ambrotose

There are basically four major components, or essential molecular components... Read More

Monitoring BMI In Children Today Could Lead To Better Health

In a new study published by the American Heart Association,... Read More

Our Livers Need for Water

Although many realize that the liver has its own cleansing... Read More

Dieting -- The Basic of Meal Planning

BASIC MEAL & MENU PLANNINGAs a basis for meals and... Read More

Six Ways Soy Benefits Your Health

Soy, and most soy-based products, are nutritional powerhouses. Soybeans are... Read More

The Virtues of Water

Did you know that much of our dry skin comes... Read More

Snack Attack - How to Keep Your Hunger Between Meals from Getting the Best of You

The Benefits of SnackingYou may feel regretful about snacking, but... Read More

Why Digestive Enzymes Are Vital To Good Health!

Most digestive disorders develop because of the bodys inability to... Read More

Pineapples: The Healing Fruit Of The Tropics (Includes A Recipe For Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie)

For a natural and tasty way to improve your health... Read More

Optimize Your Diet For Maximum Growth

The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More

Fluoride Damages Childrens Bones, Study Says

White-spotted or yellow splotched teeth may reveal more than needed... Read More

Antioxidants and Your Health

Get back to the basics - eat fresh at home... Read More

Death, Aging, Rejuvenation (Part 4)

Biological clockObviously you need biological clock to time and alarm... Read More

What is Organic Food?

"Organic" has some quite specific legal definitions in most developed... Read More

What?s Causing Your Energy Drain?

This is such a busy time of year, isn't it?... Read More

How Essential Fatty Acids Improve Your Brain Power and Mental Health

What is your brain made ofOver 50% of your brain... Read More

Vitamin and Mineral Facts

Vitamins & Minerals are essential to sustain life. Its what... Read More

Healthy Eating

Recently I found the book : "Eating and health according... Read More

Face Check Up

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the healthiest of them... Read More

That Cookie Might Kill You!

Chances are you may have had a food product that... Read More

Brown Sugar is Not Brown Rice

Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More

Eating Outside Your Box

One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies... Read More

Essential Fatty Acids -The Good Fats

Fats (triacylglycerols) ...Some basic terminology ...fat or fatty acid ...In... Read More

Sugar Lovers Beware

It would be fair to assume that almost everyone on... Read More

Fruitceuticals - The Evolution of Fruit

Since the beginning of time, everyday fruits have been known... Read More

Debunking the Myth About Bottled Water: Is It Really Safer for Your Kids?

When you actually sit down and think about it, bottled... Read More

Small Changes Yield Big Benefits

You can start today - right now, even - on... Read More

Green Tea, or not to Green Tea?

Wow! Is it just me or? Wait! Let me start... Read More

Most of Us Talk and Think About Nutrition and Exercise as a Distant Activity to be Started Some Day!

If you do not take time to stand back at... Read More

Eating to Gain Mass

This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More