While researching the topic of how the body processes sugar, we came across some very confronting information in regards to sugar. You may be more aware now than ever before that it is a substance which is put into a huge amount of food we eat.
These days, it is fairly common knowledge that the over-consumption of sugar is unhealthy for us.
As for how the body actually handles and breaks down sugar, this is a very complex topic. We can cause strain to many parts of our body by over-consuming this substance.
Thankfully, here at Detox & Cure, we have worked to make things as simple as possible.
So how does the body process sugar?
Bear with me as I attempt to balance making this as simple as possible with the task of retaining sufficient meaningful information. There are a few categories in which different fuel sources are processed:
- Glucose
Glucose is our primary source of fuel and is processed by both the body and liver. Foods that contain proteins and carbohydrates will contain glucose. The body will immediately use some of the sugar for energy in other parts of the body.
The remainder will end up in the liver, where it will be broken down through a series of chemical processes to convert the glucose into stored fat (lipoprotein).
While this chemical process is happening, the pancreas creates and sends insulin into the body to signal the brain that the body has consumed a substance.
Eventually, the insulin will send signals to the brain to indicate that the body is full and should stop consuming. Fats are low in carbohydrates but they still trigger the pancreas to produce the same signals.
- Sugarcose (sugar)
When we add sugar to the above process, the liver will have much more glucose to deal with than what is normal. This results in more glucose being converted into stored fat.
Over the long term, this has shown to increase your levels of stored Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL).
VLDL has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. Although put simply, your liver creates more and more stored fats, which translates to an increased body size due to, well, all the extra stored fat!
- Fructose
Fructose is the really big issue facing today’s society as it is the Sugar which is packed into so many of our foods and drinks. Specifically, it is the man-made High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) which is loaded into soda, sports drinks, and even fruit juices!
Did you know that fructose is not used by the rest of the body; it is processed directly by the liver?
The fructose is broken down in a very similar manner to the way the liver process alcohol (i.e. a toxin). What fructose also fails to do is trigger the pancreas to create insulin.
This leads to energy spikes and crashes due to wildly fluctuating and unchecked blood sugar levels. This also means the brain never receives the signals that the body has consumed substances and that we need to stop eating or drinking.
Fructose in fruit is a different story
For those of you wondering about fructose in fruit, it is not a concern. Fruit contains high levels of fiber help to counteract the effects of fructose. It also leads to the pancreas recognizing it has consumed something, which in turn triggers a response in the form of insulin release.
For a more in-depth (and very science-driven) explanation on how the body processes sugar, check out the breakdown below in the video with Robert H. Lustig.
So what should you do?
Sugar in small amounts is generally not a major issue for your body to process. It becomes an issue when you over consume sugar, resulting in a huge strain on your liver to process it and stress on your body to store it.
Having an active lifestyle will help to mitigate these issues by burning excess sugars for energy when you are active.
Monitoring and controlling your intake is a great way to help avoid putting stress on your liver and body. Fasting is also an effective way in managing your blood sugar levels if you do intend on consuming higher levels of sugar.
If you are looking to reduce or eliminate sugar from your diet, check out our 7 step guide to overcoming sugar addiction. What are your thoughts on how the body processes sugar? Let us know in the comment below.
