Are natural sweeteners like Stevia and Manuka honey safer than white sugar? Explore the health impacts of sugar addiction, the dangers of aspartame for kids, and why high fructose corn syrup is restricted in certain regions.
Disaccharides play important functions in the human diet. Also called double sugars, disaccharides are a type of carbohydrate that contains two sugar molecules called monosaccharides that are linked together in a compound.
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If you’ve enjoyed gingerbread or gingerbread cookies, then you are familiar with the full-bodied taste of molasses. The product of an arduous process of boiling down sugar cane and sugar beets, the thick, rich syrup is used to top pancakes or biscuits, and it is also incorporated into your favorite recipes.
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The agave plant is used as a popular sweetener and is also processed to make tequila. There are more than 130 different types of agave that grow throughout the Southwestern United States and Central America. The blue agave plant, or Blue Tequilana Weber, is tapped for the sap, which is called agave nectar.
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Corn syrup was once a common home remedy for infant constipation. Added to an infant’s bottle it would prompt a bowel movement, but medical authorities no longer consider this treatment to be an effective remedy -- for infants or adults.
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The relationship between sugar and nausea is complex. In some cases, sugar can cause a reaction, making you feel nauseous. In other situations, you may feel nauseated and turn to sugar to settle your stomach and ease your discomfort.
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Stevia rebaudiana is a perennial shrub that is native to Paraguay and Brazil. Because stevia contains intensely sweet compounds, it has long been used as a sugar substitute in Japan, China and South America. Despite its long history in other countries, the path to stevia’s acceptance in the U.S. has been bumpy.
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Cornstarch is used in countless food items ranging from snack foods such as cakes, cookies and doughnuts, to beverages such as fruit juice, soft drinks and beer, to meats such as sausage, bologna and hotdogs. It is also used in ice cream, cereals and condiments.
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An occasional upset stomach or case of indigestion may not be anything for you to worry about, according to Mayo Clinic, but if you have recurring, chronic gastritis, you may have an ulcer and increased risk of stomach cancer. Honey has been used as a home remedy for gastritis since ancient times.
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Sugar and bread may taste good, but they can raise insulin levels, causing an inflammatory response in your body. The result? Weight gain, reduced energy and premature aging. The Department of Agriculture reports that Americans' consumption of refined sugar and grains has increased significantly over the past 50 years.
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Many people with food-related allergies or food sensitivities must learn how to eliminate specific substances from their diets. Caffeine, sugar, gluten and dairy are all associated with sensitivities that may cause adverse physical reactions.
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Teens typically consume large amounts of sugar daily: 34 teaspoons for the 14- to 18- year-old age group, as opposed to 22 teaspoons for adults, according to the American Heart Association, or AHA. The biggest offending foods are soft drinks, candy, cakes, cookies and pies.
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Though sweet, honey can cause two types of bad reactions. Some individuals might be allergic to the pollen, bee venom or proteins in honey. For baby's under the age of 1, honey can cause a reaction from the bacteria.
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Staphylococcus species, or staph, are round bacteria commonly found on the skin, genital tract, nose and mouth as part of the normal flora. Staph family includes around 30 different bacterial species that can cause a wide range of infections such as folliculitis, cellulitis and toxic shock syndrome.
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Whether too much sugar was added because of an incorrect measure, faulty sugar container or a recipe that just isn’t to your liking, food with too much sweetness can be hard to eat. However, there are some things that can be done based on the type of food being cooked to salvage a dish.
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Four million Americans suffer from frequent constipation, and this digestive disorder accounts for 2.5 million doctor visits a year, according to the National Institutes of Health.
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Simple sugars, such as those found in cookies, candies, cakes and soft drinks, have been implicated in the growing incidence of obesity and diabetes in the United States.
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Manuka honey is hailed for its antibacterial and healing properties. It also may have anti-cancer properties and be useful for cancer patients who suffer issues with radiation therapy. This honey has the potential, however, to interfere with some cancer treatments.
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Stevia is a blanket term for all sweeteners derived from the Stevia rebaudiana bush, which is prevalent in Asia and South America. Sweeteners labeled stevia are actually extracts called steviol glycosides.
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Sugar provides both health benefits and negative consequences. It supplies an important source of energy that is easy for the body to metabolize and use. However, if you consume large amounts of sugar, you can increase your risk of obesity and the complications it can cause such as diabetes and heart disease.
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Corn syrup is an ingredient with many uses in the baker's kitchen. It is one of a class of sugars called "invert" sugars, which remain liquid rather than crystallizing. It also helps prevent other sugars from crystallizing, which is one reason it's often added to candy and frosting.
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