The first time I got the concept and processing of sugar in the body all wrong was during a Biology class. I don't know maybe I wasn't concentrating during the class or it was me just acting like a dumb shit. Whatever the case may be, I got a wrong interpretation about how sugar operates in the body. The effect of my misinterpretation was not devastating, but it was telling.
While the teacher was explaining how sugar gets stored in the body, I picked up that the body stores sugar in the form of glycogen in the liver. So whenever the body needs carbohydrates to function the glycogen is broken down into glucose and absorbed by the body. That was my interpretation. And with that, I concluded that I can ingest as much sugar as I want as long as I'm doing enough physical activities that force my body to convert the excessively stored glycogen to glucose on a regular basis. What a terrible assumption!
One thing I never factored into the equation was that we have naturally occurring sugars and the non naturally occurring ones. Naturally occurring sugars are the ones found in foods such as fruits and vegetables. They are the exact sugars the body needs to be stored as glycogen to power the body.
As for non naturally occurring sugars, these are the sweeteners distilled in laboratories by scientists and added to food to make them sweet while in turn making our lives difficult. They are also referred to as added sugars. According to researchers, the human body does NOT require added sugar to perform in top form.
So, what are those things containing added sugar?
That soft drink you love so much is filled with added sugar. The energy drinks, fruit drinks and juices contain a reasonable amount of added sugar. The granulated sugar that sweetens your tea, coffee or garri is definitely added sugar. It has a tendency to harm in the now or later in the future.
Sugar is the devil we know and love. Either male or female, an adult would've heard at one point or the other how devastating the effect of consuming excess sugar can be. In fact, some people have experienced first hand one or two of those effects. And that reminds me of my secondary school councillor who was forced to remove three decayed teeth. She had so much chewing gum during her young adult days that the sweet in those gums caused a rot in her gum.
Am I trying to fight sugar?
I thought I was doing so when I engaged myself in rigorous exercise with the assumption that the glycogen in my body is being used up. With that, I concluded I can take as much sugar as I want. It wasn't until I had severe back pain that needed treatment that I realised I was in the wrong. Since then, I cut out my intake of drinks, either soft drinks, fruit juices or whatever.
Ever since I realized the difference between natural and non natural sugars, I've tried to go the natural way. For example, I used to prefer beans cooked with some amount of sugar. But since I realized granulated sugar may ruin me, I switched to cooking beans with foods that have naturally occurring sugars like plantains or sweet potatoes.
With this, I know my body will easily store the excess sugar which will be converted when I choose to undergo a rigorous exercise. It serves as a win-win situation for me as I still get my desired sweetened beans without harming my body.
If you love sugar, go natural!
