Sugar is found in many of the foods we eat. We expect to find sugar in foods such as cakes and cookies, but other foods such as canned vegetables and catsup are full of sugar, too.

Sugars are a kind of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates include sugars, starches, cellulose, and other compounds. An essential nutrient, carbohydrates are the human body's main source of both quick and sustained energy. All carbohydrates offer four calories of energy per gram (one teaspoon of sugar equals 35 calories). The biggest problem with sugar is that provides "empty" calories. When people eat sugar, it does not give them any important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, or proteins.

Sugar has many names. You will see it listed as honey, raw sugar, turbinado sugar, brown sugar, confectioner's sugar, powdered sugar, fructose, dextrose, glucose, molasses, corn syrup, maltose, sucrose, xylitol, or mannitol. It may be hard to know how much sugar a food has in it, because many of these sources may be found within one food. Foods with a "Nutrition Facts" label, tell exactly how much total sugar a food has.

Once any form of sugar gets into the body, there is little difference in how the body uses it. Some people think honey or raw sugar is better because it has some vitamins in it. But, the amount of vitamins they contain is very small. One disadvantage of sugar is how fast it may be absorbed into the blood stream. When whole foods, such as fruit, are eaten, sugars are released slowly from the gut into the blood stream. When mainly sugar is eaten, such as with a soda or candy bar, there is rapid absorption. This causes the blood sugar level to quickly rise, then fall.

Sugar has gotten a bad reputation for causing many health problems. There is no evidence that it causes hyperactivity. The only health problems sugar is known to cause is tooth decay, and obesity when eaten in excess.Diabetics and hypoglycemics need to watch how much sugar they eat. Hypoglycemia, is an abnormally low level of blood glucose. Diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin or the inability of the cells in the body to respond to insulin. This causes high blood sugar in the blood.

If you have a sweet tooth, grab a piece of fruit or an oatmeal cookie, instead of a soda or a sweet roll. Your sweet tooth will be appeased, your body will be getting vital nutrients, and you will enjoy more sustained energy.

Choose a Health Topic Category Aging Alcohol Problems Allergies Arthritis Back & Neck Problems Blood & Circulatory Problems Bones, Joints & Muscles Brain & Nervous System Cancer Cardiovascular Health Child Health & Development Common Illnesses Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surg Dental Health Diabetes Digestive System Drug Abuse Ear, Nose & Throat Eating Disorders Exercise & Fitness Eyes & Vision Family Planning Foot Care General Health Genetic Disorders & Birth Defects Headaches Health Quizzes Hearing HIV Infections / AIDS Hormonal Disorders Infectious Diseases Medications Men's Health Mental & Emotional Health Nervous System Newborn Care Nutrition Parenting & Family Life Personal Safety Pregnancy & Childbirth Preparing for Emergencies Respiratory Problems Sexually Transmitted Diseases Skin Health Smoking Sports Medicine Stress & How to cope Surgery Symptoms Teenage Concerns Test & Examinations Urinary and Genital Systems Weight Control Women's Health   Go