By Dean L. Jones

Rarely do we question the sensitivity or susceptibility to ingesting processed sugar.  Particularly, in contrast to the number of inquiries made about negative reactions to ingesting eggs, soy, peanuts, shellfish, milk, gluten, etc., which are commonly shared long before considering how eating or drinking sugary-filled items may affect the mind and body.

One manner of how people are susceptible to over-consuming sugary items comes about for those born with low beta-Endorphins, one of five human endorphins that actually generate low self-esteem.  A person with a low beta-Endorphin condition can be compelled to seek things to ingest that might help them feel better from a depressed state of being.  Unfortunately, there are bad consequences from taking short cuts to reach a higher level by using such substances like alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, heroin, morphine, codeine and/or taking on troubling behavioral experiences like gambling.

Eating items containing processed sugar affects the body’s beta-endorphin levels just like those harmful substances previously mentioned, particularly on young developing brains.  This is important because a person can literally get addicted to eating processed sugary foodstuff.  A major problem with attempting to get a high from sugary foodstuff is that it wears off and is usually followed by a crash or withdrawal feelings.

Sugary items are too often used to create a higher level of perceived energy; nevertheless the facts bear it out that overt sugar consumption is linked to developing both depression and schizophrenia conditions, among numerous other illnesses.  This is due to how ingesting processed sugar can suppress protein production, thereby causing a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), blocking a key growth hormone.

There is such an overwhelming obsession to sugary products that people go out of their way to get it.  That is because sugar choices are vastly promoted and eating too much magnifies the associated dangers.  Naively we make choices that are processed sugar content foods from other sources including high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and starches in the form of potatoes and grains (treacherous cereal and sugary milk combo).

For some this sugar addiction looms so large that they are buying discontinued sodas at high prices.  For instance, a 20-oz. bottle of Surge (was sold in stores from 1996 to 2002) was auctioned on eBay for $250.  A Josta soda (made by Pepsi from 1995 to 1999) also sold on online for $250.  Two 12-can soda packs of Vault sold for more than $130, and a 16-oz. bottle of Crystal Pepsi (1992 – 1993) is being sold for $125 on eBay.

Learning about this type of need for sugar is distressing and regrettably the mind and body can become addicted from consuming it.  Sugar addiction is a physiologically and sociologically troubled state of affairs.  Anyone lusting after sugary product promotions may be caught up in naive jeopardy, for that reason it is essential to live SugarAlert!

www.SugarAlert.com
Dean Jones is an Ethics Advocate, Southland Partnership Corporation (a public benefit organization), contributing his view on certain aspects of foodstuff.