If these researchers get their way, the ATF may have to change their name to ATFS to include that terribly “toxic” substance known affectionately as sugar.
Three scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, Robert Lustig, Laura Schmidt, and Claire Brindis argue that sugar is toxic and needs to be taxed and controlled. The three researchers published an opinion piece, “The Toxic Truth About Sugar” in the February 1 issue of Nature where they claim that it’s a misnomer to consider sugar just “empty calories.” They write: “There is nothing empty about these calories. A growing body of scientific evidence is showing that fructose can trigger processes that lead to liver toxicity and a host of other chronic diseases. A little is not a problem, but a lot kills — slowly.”
In addition, they compare the “sugar high” to the feelings produced by alcohol and tobacco. They cite statistics from the American Heart Association and other surveys that estimate that the average adult ingests 22 teaspoons of sugar a day, and teens as much as 34 teaspoons daily. They view such consumption as dangerous to health and a major cause of obesity and suggest taxing sugary foods and controlling sales to kids under 17.
“There are good calories and bad calories, just as there are good fats and bad fats, good amino acids and bad amino acids, good carbohydrates and bad carbohydrates,” Lustig, a professor of pediatrics and director of the Weight Assessment for Teen and Child Health (WATCH) program at UCSF, said in a statement. “But sugar is toxic beyond its calories.”
However, Sugar claims the article “lacks the scientific evidence or consensus on which the authors base their recommended policy interventions.” In addressing the issue of obese children and adults, they add, “There is an obesity problem in our country that can lead to the very serious health issues mentioned in the comment – but it originates from the combination of overconsumption of all foods and lack of exercise. To label a single food as the one and only problem misinforms, misleads and confuses consumers, and simply adds to the problem.”
As in all instances, too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Moderation seems to be the key, but that moderation should remain within the power of the individual, not the government. First Lady Michelle Obama said, “I don’t think anything like that needs to be banned. Cupcakes and cookies, when eaten within reason are not bad for you. If that’s all kids eat all day, every day--that’s when it’s bad! A bake sale, dessert--those are special treats. And being healthy isn’t about eliminating all the fun stuff. The fun stuff is what makes life worth living, right? What would the world be like with no ice cream, no cupcakes, no French fries, and no hot dogs!”
Image Source: Wikipedia (nagnification of refined sugar)
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