Nutrition update: Sugar
1984
Abstract: A number of current health problems are ascribed to the dramatic increase in intake of refined carbohydrates (CHO) or sugars, since the turn of the century. Available figures show that total CHO consumption has decreased about 20% from 1909-13 to 1982. In contrast, CHO provided by sugar has increased, from 157 g/capita/day in 1909-13, to 198 g in 1925-29 to 213 g in 1979. There is little or no evidence that sugars per se cause or even contribute to obesity, behavioral disorders, micronutrient deficiencies, or diabetes mellitus. Reviews by several authors have indicated that sugars are the major dietary factor contributing to the development of dental caries. Both the frequency of sugar intake and its consistency (e.g., stickiness) determine the cariogenicity of a food. The association between frequency of sugar intake and dental caries can be modified by the presence or absence of fluoride, other foods, and the buffering action of saliva. Recently, certain cheeses have been shown to decrease the cariogenicity of sugar. (emc)
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