Sunteți pe pagina 1din 5

Butler 1

Shyanne Butler

Kim Strickland

English 1010

18 July 2017

Should sugar be regulated?

In recent discussions of sugar consumption and the rise of obesity, a controversial issue

has been weather the government should regulate sugar. On one hand scientists say that sugar is

responsible for many illnesses. From their perspective sugar is as toxic as alcohol and tobacco

and should be regulated. On the other hand, however, others would argue that its not sugar that

it is to blame but the amount that is being consumed. In the words of Keith T. Ayoob, a director

of nutrition argues Foods with sugar don't make us sick. The decisions we make about those

foods and our lifestyles do. (Ayoob) According to this view, consumers are to blame not sugar.

In sum, then, the issue is whether the government needs to step in or do consumers need to take

better control over their sugar consumption.

Sugar has been around for centuries, dating back to 8000 BC. Author Damon Gameau

shares some sugar history in his book That Sugar Book he Quotes Queen Elizabeth on her

love of sugar I loved sugar and had blackened teeth as a result (Elizabeth) It was also noted in

the 16th century the poor looked healthier then the rich because they could not afford their

penchant for sugar. So, although some would suggest that sugar is a new-found addiction it

seems as though the addiction has been around for centuries, sugar just wasnt as attainable to

people who couldnt afford it.


Butler 2

In the early 1700s sugar is used as a spice, it then is used in medical practice, helping

treat fever, dry coughs, pectoral ailments and chapped lips. Damon Gameau quotes an English

doctor saying sugar is veritable cure all, its only defect being that it could make ladies to fat.

(Doctor) In my opinion, this statement is suggesting if sugar was consumed as much as they used

it in the medical field, we would be fat. Dr. Mehmet Oz MD, states in his book you on a diet,

the average person consumes 150 pounds of sugar per year, back in the 1700s the average

American consumed only 7 pounds of sugar in a year. We are consuming 20 times more sugar.

Overweight and obesity have been an ongoing problem in the United States and more

than one-third of U.S. adults (around 35.7%) are obese according to Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention. Sugar is said to be an addictive toxin and is as addictive as cocaine. Scientist say

that sugar is the driving force behind obesity which can lead to diabetes, liver disease,

autoimmune disorder, chronic fatigue, hypothyroid disease, high cholesterol, osteoporosis and

metabolic syndrome. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that obesity cost

the U.S health care system more than $150 billion each year. So, if sugar is making us so sick

why are we consuming it?

According to Dan Defigio, author of Beating Sugar Addiction for Dummies, sugar is

as addictive as cocaine, but its cheap legal, and socially acceptable (Defigio) The author

defines addiction as anything that one must have to avoid a negative feeling or symptom, or the

compulsion to artificially produce a pleasurable feeling. (Defigio) Sugar like alcohol and

cocaine triggers the production of serotonin and dopamine, which are hormones that make you

feel happy and satisfied. However, he points out that the body needs sugar to fuel our bodies. I

agree, that it is important to consume healthy sugars, but we need to be aware of sugar types and

the amount we are consuming.


Butler 3

Are we so out of control that the government needs to step in and regulate unhealthy

sugars such as in soda, candy, pastries and other foods high in sugar or is it the consumers

responsibility to take control of the way they are consuming sugar? Through my research it

seems that most scientist and doctors, are suggesting that sugar be regulated.

I wanted to look to consumers and see what their stand on the issues was. I surveyed 64

people, 23.44% said yes, sugar should be regulated, 26.56% said they were not sure and 50%

said no. I actually, was surprised that that 50% were against regulating sugar. Though I agree I

thought the majority would say yes.

While its is agreed that sugar is a problem, I would have to disagree with scientist who

believe that it should be regulated. I think its is important to look at other factors related to

obesity and do more studies before the government takes action. I believe that it is important for

individuals to get control of their eating habits.

In truth, America is addicted to sugar and possibly, slowly killing themselves and no

donut is worth dying for!


Butler 4

Annotated Bibliography

Ayoob, Keith T. Consumers need to be empowered, not made into victims

https://www.usnews.com/debate- club/should-sugar-be-regulated/consumers-need-to-be-

empowered-not-made-into-victims, March 30 ,2012

This is a short article but makes such a strong statement about who should be

responsible for the rise in sugar consumption. I chose this source because I strongly

agree with him. He is a Director of a Nutrition Clinic and most of the work he does

is focused on eating behavior.

DeFigio, Dan. Beating Sugar Addiction for Dummies. For Dummies, January 1, 2013

This book was a great source of information related to the problems that sugar

causes and how are minds and bodies become addicted to sugar. I found it very

helpful and most of my research that I used came from this book. The author is

Founder of getting fit.com and is a respected name in the fitness and nutrition.

Gameau, Damon. That Sugar Book. New York, Flatiron Books, July 2015.

The book follows the authors journey as he constructs a sugar experiment. The

author consumes 40 teaspoons of sugar every day for 60-days but only consume

foods that are consider healthy. Also in his book, he shares interviews with health

experts, advice on beating the sugar habit. I chose this source because who better

than someone who physically and mentally experiences what sugar does to the

body. Damon Gameau is an advocate for good health and an award-winning actor

and director.
Butler 5

Lustig, Robert H., et al. The Toxic Truth about sugar. Nature Journal, Volume 482, February 2,

2012.

This article gives information regarding consumption of sugar and how it is linked to

the rise in non-communicable disease, including sugar having similar effects as

alcohol. In the article, options for regulating sugar and how it could benefit the public

is discussed, however, it does point out with the cost of sugar being so low and the

supply and demand of sugar being high it could be impossible. The authors do believe

if enough people demand change it can be done. The authors all study at the University

of California, Robert H. Lustig is in the department of Pediatrics and Laura A.

Schmidt and Claire D. Brindis are at the Clinical Translational Science Institute and

the Philip R. Lee Institute for health studies.

Oz, Mehmet C., et al You on a Diet. Free Press. October 31, 2006

This book is more based on someone who is dieting, but as I skimmed through it I

found that the sugar consumption increase was perfect for my essay. The fact that it

was written by Dr. Mehmet C. Oz best known for his television show and American

Cardiothoracic Surgeon, stood out to me because I like his discussions on health and

beauty. Michael F Roizen, is an award-winning author and chief wellness officer at

the Cleveland Clinic.

S-ar putea să vă placă și