Sugar In The Morning? If It’s Fructose Just Say No!

Singing about “Sugar in the morning, sugar in the evening, sugar at suppertime” put the McGuire Sisters on the pop charts in 1958. That was over two decades before debates began to rage over whether one type of sugar – particularly high fructose corn syrup – was better or worse than another for human consumption. 

Now we have a small study that took a crack at answering that question. In the study a group of six people, four men and two women, consumed breakfast beverages that had either all fructose or a mix of fructose, or fruit sugar, and glucose, or simple sugar. After they consumed their breakfast beverages they had their blood tested. Those who consumed a breakfast drink that was made using only fructose as a sweetener had blood sugar and insulin levels greater than those who consumed breakfast beverages sweetened with a mix of fructose and glucose. After lunch – which was standardized for all participants – blood sugar levels were higher for those who drank the breakfast beverage sweetened with 100% fructose. Researchers also linked fructose intake to increased cholesterol.

Obviously this is a small study and it will be interesting to see any additional studies that may follow this one to determine if certain sugars that are worse for blood sugar, cholesterol and waistlines. From this and additional research on how the body reacts to sugar, we may find out even more about how our diets affect blood sugar levels and how control of diet can help control diabetes. Meanwhile, even if you’ve eliminated most sugars out of your diet, this is a reminder of how important it is to read labels.   High fructose corn syrup is in lots more foods than just sodas. It’s found in barbeque sauces, yogurt, breads, cereals and crackers.

If you have prediabetes or diabetes you know how important it is to adhere to your prediabetes diet or your diabetes diet. It’s just as important to keep your oral health in great shape because of the links between gum disease and blood sugar levels. Follow this link to find a Dentistry For Diabetics^SM dentist near you who knows how to help you keep your teeth and gums healthy and reduce blood sugar as well.