Sugar, ah Honey Honey

Recent research has shown that our bodies do not distinguish among varying types of sugar. You may have heard this on a recent psa: Sugar is sugar. "Natural" or unprocessed sugars such as pure cane sugar, agave, or honey that companies tout as "better" for us (marketing anyone?) are metabolized and affect our bodies the exact same way that high fructose corn syrup and highly refined and processed sugars do/are. The same is true of the naturally occurring sugars in milk and fruit. Our bodies simply do not distinguish between naturally occurring sugars and processed sugars.
Our bodies and minds like sugar. Not only because we have sweet taste buds, but it makes us feel good. Through evolution we have been trained to be rewarded highly for finding and consuming sugar. It's no wonder we use terms of endearment like "honey," "sweetie," or "sugar." Because sugar is a carbohydrate, we are filled with that feeling of comfort, fullness, satisfaction. Think of Pooh and the honeypot. The universal symbol of comfort food, right? And we've all heard of how sugar releases endorphins, which is why chocolate makes us feel a tiny bit like we are in love.

Go sugar.
But here is something interesting. Some researchers claim that artificial sweeteners--the kind we get in Diet Coke, fat and sugar free yogurt, Crystal Light, or reduced sugar ice cream--can actual make us gain weight. In one study at Purdue one group of rats were fed yogurt with artificial sweetener while the other group were fed regular yogurt. The first group ate more and gained weight.  There is also some questions by some researchers with regards to sweeteners like Truvia, Stevia, Nutra Sweet, Equal, etc. Some state that these sweeteners are, in essence, no different than sugar. Just like there is no difference between how the body recognizes agave and table sugar, the body likewise views "fake" sugar in a similar way. Although there are no calories, the body shouts out "SUGAR!" to the brain, and it responds appropriately.

This is concerning to me.  To an absurd proportion, I am a Coke fiend. Not Dike Coke, but Coke. Like the 9 tsp. of sugar per can Coke. Ugh.

I HATE Diet Coke.  I really hate it. But I really need to find a substitute for the Coke dependency. Sure, it would be better for my overall health, but just from a vanity standpoint, I know I could probably get rid of my tiny tummy problem if I stopped with the Coke. And I am becoming increasingly concerned about my oral health. Diet Coke would be an excellent solution to these problems I think. But not if my body is not even going to acknowledge the sacrifice I'm making.

Oh well.  I guess I'll just have to drink water.