Scientists are telling us that sugar is contributing to 35 million deaths every year and is very hazardous to our health. The journal, Nature, features an article on the topic where the authors state that there are now more obese people in the world than those who are malnourished. Sugar is a huge contributing factor according to the authors and it is known to effect metabolism, blood pressure, hormones and the liver. The effects of sugar they say are the same as the effects of alcohol given that they are toxic, extremely accessible and can be addictive.
They also tell us that the amount of sugar consumed around the world has tripled over the last 50 years. They suggest that foods that are not high in sugar should be more accessible and less expensive to purchase. They also ask that the companies making sugary foods take responsibility for the amount of sugar in their products.
Other health specialists say that this article is over the top considering the fact that sugar is only toxic when ingested in amounts that would be deemed unrealistic.
A representative from the Food and Drink Federation suggests that although it is good to look at the harmful effects of sugar and what it is doing to us, it was not a good idea to focus on sugar alone. It should be part of a larger focus on foods and how a healthy balance can be maintained.