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I get what you’re saying about insulin and blood sugar, but I think it’s important to remember that sugar itself isn’t inherently “bad” for us. Our bodies are a

I get what you’re saying about insulin and blood sugar, but I think it’s important to remember that sugar itself isn’t inherently “bad” for us. Our bodies are actually well-equipped to handle it, especially when consumed in reasonable amounts. Glucose is a primary energy source for the brain and muscles, and occasional treats or small amounts of sugar can be part of a healthy diet without causing harm. An example of this is Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). Many people around the world suffer from dehydration, and electrolyte solutions are more effective when combined with glucose in a liquid form. Interestingly, the study often cited to argue that non-glucose-based versions are equally effective is misleading. In that study, participants consumed orange juice and cereal bars one hour before the test, which influenced the results. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2023.1158167/full https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-livin... The liver and muscles act as natural buffers, storing excess glucose as glycogen and releasing it as needed, so a small sugar spike here and there—like a few pieces of candy—won’t typically lead to insulin resistance or other long-term problems. Issues like insulin resistance are more of a concern with constant, high sugar intake over time, particularly if the overall diet lacks fiber and nutrients and particularly for people who are inactive. So, while excessive sugar intake isn’t great, enjoying sugar in moderation doesn’t overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Our metabolic systems are designed to manage occasional spikes, and a balanced approach is key. Every 10 years, the dietician community tends to demonize one type of macronutrient. When a theory claims that a single factor explains a complex phenomenon, it’s usually a red flag that the theory is flawed.

gitaarik 2y ago
Yeah ok, but I think it is also clear at the same time that a lot of food that we eat today is much more sugary than the previous millions of years before that, and that we seem to be getting more and more problems with overweight and diabetes type 2. So yeah in moderation everything is ok of course, but I do have the feeling that on average, we might be overdoing it a little bit with the sugar.
- patrickhogan1 2y ago
  You are totally right. A honey crisp apple has a lot of fiber in it. 5,000 years ago outside of a few regions getting access to cane sugar would be difficult. Mango and pineapple somewhat easier but probably less sweet than today. This does concern me a lot. It’s sad when a restaurant sends you cut strawberry’s with sugar sprinkled on top. But sugar free chocolate just isn’t as good :) I’m very interested to see ubiquitous continuous glucose monitors in action and the data we will get from that. The high degree to which GLP-1 medicines work aide in your argument RE insulin quite a bit. I am just very suspect of all the keto claims (not made by you - just in general). If keto was a panacea then in the last 40 years we would have seen a bigger dent in obesity.
  - gitaarik 2y ago
    Aha, yeah, the keto hype is the pendulum swinging the extreme opposite way, and yeah there is a middle balance. I think keto is also an attempt to "cheat responsibly", because people have a hard time saying good bye to sweets, so all kinds of fancy keto sweeteners are promoted. But yeah I think it's eventually a bit futile, you're trying to fool yourself, and in the long run that doesn't work. I think it is actually largely a psychological story. Food is like an addiction, a way of distracting yourself from the struggles of life. And addictive food (candy, snacks, fast food) is just the kind of drug that is easiest available to most people, and it's not illegal or necessarily looked down upon, even promoted in many ways (birthday cake). So that is why it's one of the bigger problems in society. And the solution for addictions is not taking away the drug, because the desire is still there, and will eventually sip through in some other way. The way to deal with it is to look into the root cause of what is lacking in the life of the user causing it to try to fill up this hole in it's life with this drug. And then have a proper way of treating that, while also learning more about nutrition, because people have also just forgotten what healthy food is and how to make it.

gitaarik 2y ago

Yeah ok, but I think it is also clear at the same time that a lot of food that we eat today is much more sugary than the previous millions of years before that, and that we seem to be getting more and more problems with overweight and diabetes type 2. So yeah in moderation everything is ok of course, but I do have the feeling that on average, we might be overdoing it a little bit with the sugar.

patrickhogan1 2y ago
You are totally right. A honey crisp apple has a lot of fiber in it. 5,000 years ago outside of a few regions getting access to cane sugar would be difficult. Mango and pineapple somewhat easier but probably less sweet than today. This does concern me a lot. It’s sad when a restaurant sends you cut strawberry’s with sugar sprinkled on top. But sugar free chocolate just isn’t as good :) I’m very interested to see ubiquitous continuous glucose monitors in action and the data we will get from that. The high degree to which GLP-1 medicines work aide in your argument RE insulin quite a bit. I am just very suspect of all the keto claims (not made by you - just in general). If keto was a panacea then in the last 40 years we would have seen a bigger dent in obesity.
- gitaarik 2y ago
  Aha, yeah, the keto hype is the pendulum swinging the extreme opposite way, and yeah there is a middle balance. I think keto is also an attempt to "cheat responsibly", because people have a hard time saying good bye to sweets, so all kinds of fancy keto sweeteners are promoted. But yeah I think it's eventually a bit futile, you're trying to fool yourself, and in the long run that doesn't work. I think it is actually largely a psychological story. Food is like an addiction, a way of distracting yourself from the struggles of life. And addictive food (candy, snacks, fast food) is just the kind of drug that is easiest available to most people, and it's not illegal or necessarily looked down upon, even promoted in many ways (birthday cake). So that is why it's one of the bigger problems in society. And the solution for addictions is not taking away the drug, because the desire is still there, and will eventually sip through in some other way. The way to deal with it is to look into the root cause of what is lacking in the life of the user causing it to try to fill up this hole in it's life with this drug. And then have a proper way of treating that, while also learning more about nutrition, because people have also just forgotten what healthy food is and how to make it.