The Truth About Sugar

There is an incredible amount of SUGAR in the American diet.   Most people are unaware of this, and the food and beverage manufacturers do a good job of hiding it.  There are natural sugars and processed sugars.  There are  healthy sugars and unhealthy sugars.     

Natural sugar is just as harmful to your teeth and general health as processed sugar.  The most common HARMFUL natural sugars are maltose, fructose,  and sucrose.  These most commonly in juices        ( apple, orange,  lemon, grape, etc) There are a few others that I will let you discover for yourself.  There are also processed sugars such as fructose corn syrup,  sucralose,  and others.   Artificial sweetness such as Equal, Sweet n Low , and Splenda are also NOT  healthy.    They "trick your body into thinking" it is getting sugar.   Diet beverages containing these ingredients can actually cause weight gain and obesity.   

Healthy sugars are XYLITOL and STEVIA.  They are digested in the stomach,  NOT the mouth.   90% of natural and unhealthy sugars are digested in the mouth which causes tooth decay and diabetes.  Especially in young children these unhealthy sugars can cause hyper activity and increase the symptoms and behavior of those on the AUTISM SPECTRUM.   

A recent long trem study results were the following:   If you introduce juice into your child's diet BEFORE the second birthday,  you increase the risk of tooth decay by 3 TIMES.  I my experience thto most common juices given to toddlers are apple juice and "juicy juice."  Just an FYI, chocolate milk has much more sugar than white milk.  Diluting juice wit water my seem like a good idea,  but it is still juice.   Get you child in the habit of drinking some plain water daily after their first  birthday and have the first dental exam.  By a pediatric dentist also. 

When you buy food and beverages,  please read the ingredients on the BACK OF THE PACKAGING.  The  label on the front is marketing to get you to buy the product.  The label on the back gives you the HEALTHY facts for you to make an informed purchase for your FAMILY.   

I hope that this truthful information is helpful and will benefit your oral and general health for Generations to Come.

Yours for TRUTHFUL INFORMATION,  
Dr Steve Branam