Did you know that the overconsumption of refined sugar can hinder your progress in school?

Just what is sugar and what are its effects?

Dr. William Coda Martin, in 1957, asked the question: “When is food a food, and when is it a poison?” This physician classified refined sugar as a poison because it is depleted of its enzymes, vitamins and minerals. 

Webster’s Dictionary defines a poison as “a substance that through its chemical action kills, injures or impairs an organism” and “a substance that inhibits the activity of another substance or the course of a reaction or process.”

Sugar consists of what nutritionists call “naked” or “empty” calories. In its initial state, sugar is found in a “food complex” (the sugar beet or cane). All plants supply the vitamins, minerals and enzymes needed for the digestion and assimilation of the food. But because refined sugar is bankrupt of these precious nutrients, it actually robs and depletes the body of its needs to satisfy its demands on the body for elimination, detoxification and digestion. This is what nutritionists term an “anti-nutrient.” 

How does this affect your thought processes? Too much sugar has an injurious effect on the functioning of the brain. Among the plethora of nutrients essential for brain function, the glutamic acid/B vitamin relationship is a key. “B vitamins are also manufactured by symbiotic bacteria which live in our intestines. When refined sugar is taken daily, these bacteria wither and die, and our stock of B vitamins gets very low. Too much sugar makes one sleepy; our ability to calculate and remember is lost” (Sugar Blues, William Dufty, 1975).

What can you do? For energy, instead of soda, try water. Use honey, molasses, maple syrup, date sugar, or the South American herb called Stevia for baking. Dried fruit is another good way to satisfy your sweet tooth. Like others who minimize sugar in their diets, you’ll be astounded at the increased level of mental clarity.