History of sugar

Sugar is a new food popular in the middle ages. Sugar is virtually unknown in the classical civilizations of Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Greeks (who have the most to all of it) does not even have a word for sugar. Arabs who had made the sugar as a popular commodity in the world, which has now become a staple of all nations, with global production exceeding 120 million tons per year.

During the Muslim Agricultural Revolution, Arab entrepreneurs adopted the techniques of sugar production from India and then refine and transform the sugar into a large-scale industry. Arabs set up factories and sugar plantations of the first and distribute to Europe and Africa. The word "sugar" in English comes from the Arabic word "Sukkar", which is derived from the Sanskrit word "sharkara". Sugar translations in several languages ?? have the same etymology, for example, "azucar" in Spanish, "sucre" in France, "zucker" in German, and "Seker" in Turkey.

Chemicals that are not natural

So formidable sugar permeates our lives, most of us do not realize that sugar is an unnatural chemicals. Nothing like sugar crystals in nature. Is the result of refining sugar (refined) sugar cane or beet juice after all the vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes and other beneficial nutrients removed. As a result, the sugar does not contain a variety of nutrients and fiber found in other, more complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Excess sugar is converted into fat by the body. According to the American Heart Foundation, "sugars contribute zero nutrients, but it adds a lot of calories which can lead to extra weight, or even obese, thereby reducing heart health." Sugar can also cause dental problems. Sugar residues in the teeth that are not properly brushed naturally encourage the proliferation of bacteria that produce acid, so it is easy dental cavities. Furthermore, according to some experts, the sugar slowly cause damage to the pancreas, adrenal glands and disrupt the entire endocrine system. Sugar causes large fluctuations in blood glucose.

Therefore, nutrition experts always recommend that mengsonsumsi not excessive sugar. Unfortunately, this suggestion does not seem much ignored. Indonesia's per capita consumption of sugar now reached 12 kg per year, the trend continues to rise. Per capita means every man, woman, child and infant Indonesia average consume 1 kg of sugar a month. Most people consume far above average, others below average.

Many people are addicted to sugar so eat sugar than they need. Most people also do not underestimate the intake of sugar. In fact, each 1 gram of sugar contains 4 calories. 20 grams of sugar loaf will instantly add 80 calories to your body. In fact, without us knowing our babies are also taught to addicted to sugar. According to a study by the University of Calgary, more than half of all food products targeted to toddlers and infants in Canada have too many calories from sugar. There has been no similar studies in Indonesia, but the likely outcome is not much different.

Recommended consumption

According to the American Heart Foundation, women should not consume more than 100 calories of added sugar per day and men 150 calories per day. That is, no more than 25 grams per day for women and 37.5 grams for men. The amount is already included sugar in drinks, food, snacks, sweets, chocolates and all that you consume that day.