The Bittersweet Truth: Unveiling America’s Sugar Addiction and Its Health Impacts
I am reading The 1619 Project, created by Nikole Hannah Jones. If you have not read it yet, you should get to it and be enlightened. Here is an Amazon link to the book. Many things in the book struck me, but one which conjured the topic that impacts my life and many people's is the topic of sugar.
My doctor reminded me to stay off sugar during my last five annual medical check-ups. Lab tests revealed that I am moderately at risk of being on the diabetes statistic. I am still in denial. Despite the addictive nature of sugar, I have mostly weaned myself off—so I tell myself—to avoid what has befallen my family. But it’s almost impossible to avoid sugar.
Sugar has permeated our lives and diets, becoming an ingrained part of our food culture. I mistakenly baked blueberry muffins one day without sugar and threw them out. However, the excessive consumption of sugar in the United States has reached alarming levels, with each American consuming an average of 73 pounds (over 33 kilograms) of various types of sugar annually. That’s the weight of your tumbler dryer machine.
In this article, I will delve into the history of sugar, its impact on American diets and health, and its disproportionate effects on individuals, particularly those who suffer from the ramifications of its cheap and widespread use.
The Dark History of Sugar
Sugar’s roots can be traced back to the dark history of enslavement and exploitation of people and lands conquered through colonialism. Sugar cane production relied heavily on enslaved labor, perpetuating an industry built on the suffering of millions of people of African descent and natives.
The exploitation and brutality of the sugar trade have left lasting scars on history, reminding us of the human cost associated with this commodity. I narrowed it down in my book to Europeans and those of Euro descent of the new world wanting to sweeten their tea, dress in fancy cotton clothes, and smoke tobacco to forget there are not really royalty.
The result today is that America has a sweet tooth with health implications. Over the years, sugar has become ubiquitous in the American diet, finding its way into almost every processed food item. From sweetened beverages to baked goods, sugar has sneaked its way into our daily lives, often in excessive amounts.
I once had soup at a company cafeteria in Pennsylvania that shocked me with how sweet it was on the first spoonful. I dumped it. The overconsumption of sugar has been linked to numerous health issues, including obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and dental problems. This alarming trend calls for a closer examination of our dietary habits and sugar's role in our overall well-being.
I have a simple approach: if I can’t pronounce or spell the ingredient or don’t know what it is, I don’t buy that food.
Of course, who gets the short end of the stick here? The over-consumption of sugar disproportionately impacts mostly vulnerable communities. It is crucial to recognize that the consequences of excessive sugar consumption are not evenly distributed among the population.
Low-income communities and marginalized groups often face higher rates of diet-related health problems due to limited access to affordable, healthy food options. The prevalence of cheap, sugar-laden products exacerbates health disparities, further entrenching the cycle of inequality. They also have less access to unbiased healthcare due to racial separation and both food and healthcare deserts in America.
Breaking the Cycle: Taking Control of Our Sugar Consumption
Recognizing the detrimental effects of excessive sugar intake, taking control of our dietary choices is essential. By prioritizing whole, unprocessed foods and reading ingredient labels diligently, we can make informed decisions about the sugar content in our meals.
Education in schools, including primary schools, and advocacy from healthcare workers for healthier food options in underserved communities are crucial steps toward breaking the cycle of sugar-related health disparities. I have a simple approach: if I can’t pronounce or spell the ingredient or don’t know what it is, I don’t buy that food.
As we contemplate the history, prevalence, and health impacts of sugar consumption in the United States, it becomes clear that addressing our sugar addiction is a multifaceted challenge. It involves countering a political powerhouse and profit motive that’s hundred of years old.
By understanding the historical context, the health implications, and the disproportionate effects on vulnerable communities, we can strive for a healthier future.
Let us be mindful of the hidden sugars in our foods, advocate for equitable access to nutritious choices, and work towards a society that values the well-being of all its members, breaking free from the sweet shackles that bind us. Also, take time to read your labels. Remember, ingredients in foodstuff are listed according to proportions.
So the item listed first has the most volume or weight in the food. For example, a can of vegetable soup that lists sugar as the second ingredient after water means it has more sugar than vegetables. It’s basically sugar soup!
Tell your grocery that you want them to offer healthier food options, or you will take your business elsewhere. Pay attention to what you eat and consider most processed foods, especially those with many preservatives and chemicals, as ‘non-foods.’ Add to your “do-not-eat list.” Save yourself. I am still trying to.
Resources
- Lustig, R. H. (2013). Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease.
- Kearns, C. E., Schmidt, L. A., & Glantz, S. A. (2016). Sugar industry and coronary heart disease research: A historical analysis of internal industry documents. JAMA internal medicine, 176(11), 1680–1685.
- Malik, V. S., Popkin, B. M., Bray, G. A., Després, J. P., & Hu, F. B. (2010). Sugar-sweetened beverages, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease risk. Circulation, 121(11), 1356–1364.
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) — Economic Research Service. (2021). Sugar and Sweeteners Yearbook. Retrieved from https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/101513/ssb263.pdf
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