Why Sugar Intake Doesn't Matter (Input Requested)

[AdamWW]

I've stopped caring about the sugar content of my food, for one because I eat basically all unprocessed foods, and for another I'm relatively thin and don't have diabetes.

Of the approximately 400g of carbs I consume each day, about 130g are sugar.. mainly from Fruits, Sweet Potatoes, Dairy Products (plain yogurt and milk). This constitutes about 90% of my sugar intake per day, the rest comes in small amounts from veggies and nuts, etc.

However, I am curious if something that is classified as a sugar on nutrition labels reacts any differently in the body as something that is simply a carbohydrate? For instance, is it any different, really, to ingest 20g of carbs from white rice than it is from, say, Honey in terms of the health effects or generally processing in the body?

Do certain ones raise blood sugar quicker, to a greater extent? Just curious about any information on the topic.

inb4pugandhisendlesslinks

[Cumulonimbus]

Blood glucose. It all becomes blood glucose.

[AdamWW]

Blood glucose. It all becomes blood glucose.

Yes - but is there a difference in it's impact on blood glucose depending on it being a sugar vs any other kind of carb (not including fiber)

[Cumulonimbus]

Depends on the rest of your intake.

[WonderPug]

Blood glucose. It all becomes blood glucose.

As opposed to what type of glucose?

[AdamWW]

Depends on the rest of your intake.

Hourly Intake? Meal Intake (with the said sugars)? Daily Intake?

[WonderPug]

Hourly Intake? Meal Intake (with the said sugars)? Daily Intake?

Meal composition. Think GL, which is about as relevant as GI, which is about as relevant to most folks as the color of the shirt they're wearing. Wait, you're not wearing a shirt...

[AdamWW]

Meal composition. Think GL.

Gotcha.

So, mixing sugars with fats and fiber blunts or reduces the GL, right?

Is there any benefit, in the absence of chonic disease, in reducing GL? In other words, is it any worse from a health perspective to have a high GL meal as opposed to a low one?

[Cumulonimbus]

As opposed to what type of glucose?

I prefer cyclic.

[Cumulonimbus]

Gotcha.

So, mixing sugars with fats and fiber blunts or reduces the GL, right?

Is there any benefit, in the absence of chonic disease, in reducing GL? In other words, is it any worse from a health perspective to have a high GL meal as opposed to a low one?

Daily activities? For how long? Hypo/hypercaloric? Previous medical conditions?

[WonderPug]

I prefer cyclic.

May all your rotational isomerisms be good ones.

[AdamWW]

Daily activities? For how long? Hypo/hypercaloric? Previous medical conditions?

I wasn't talking about a performance-perspective wherein higher GL could be more beneficial for energy, I just mean as a health effect.

No previous medical conditions (like I said, assuming no chronic diseases). For the sake of argument, lets go with hypercaloric (would be curious to know what the difference is between the effects during hyper vs hypocaloric dieting).

I'm not sure what you mean about the "how long?" part

[WonderPug]

I wasn't talking about a performance-perspective wherein higher GL could be more beneficial for energy, I just mean as a health effect.

Asking the Internet, and especially small dogs that use the Internet, for opinions on health issues is often not particularly sage.

[Cumulonimbus]

I wasn't talking about a performance-perspective wherein higher GL could be more beneficial for energy, I just mean as a health effect.

No previous medical conditions (like I said, assuming no chronic diseases). For the sake of argument, lets go with hypercaloric (would be curious to know what the difference is between the effects during hyper vs hypocaloric dieting).

I'm not sure what you mean about the "how long?" part

Yeah I know you weren't, so that is why I asked you those questions.

Well CR is cardiovascular protective, so that plays a huge role.

Now the only time you should be worried about a rise in blood sugar is if you are sedentary the whole time, no fat and little pro and in a surplus. Skeletal muscles are the bodies best glucose disposal site.

[AdamWW]

Asking the Internet, and especially small dogs that use the Internet, for opinions on health issues is often not particularly sage.

It's been said many times on the nutrition forums that doctors know little about nutrition - also, many people on these boards have a good deal of insight on the topics. Not sure where else to go for input on this?

I have no health issues related to sugar (ie diabetes), and since (as I said) doctors have limited training on nutrition, this seemed like a good place to ask.

[AdamWW]

Yeah I know you weren't, so that is why I asked you those questions.

OK - the what's the verdict?

[Cumulonimbus]

OK - the what's the verdict?

Sit on your butt all day, eat a ton of carbs for a long period of time, get sick. Be active, take in proper macros, stay fine.

[WonderPug]

It's been said many times on the nutrition forums that doctors know little about nutrition

You'd be surprise what electives are available. Some even take it a step beyond.

[AdamWW]

You'd be surprise what electives are available.

Electives, by definition, are not required courses and therefore not attended by all doctors...

[feelsg00dmayne]

May all your rotational isomerisms be good ones.

would rep if not on spread for use of organic chemistry terminology.

[AdamWW]

Sit on your butt all day, eat a ton of carbs for a long period of time, get sick. Be active, take in proper macros, stay fine.

I Agree. But sugar isn't a macro, and carbohydrates are..

[WonderPug]

I Agree. But sugar isn't a macro, and carbohydrates are..

What?

[AdamWW]

DUDE what the hell, Paul???

You neg me for asking an honest question?

I didn't argue with anyone and I never complained.. what gives?

[Lvisaa2]

I Agree. But sugar isn't a macro, and carbohydrates are..

Sugar=carb=macro.

[AdamWW]

What?

I was under the impression that Fats, Carbohydrates, and Proteins were the 3 "Macro" nutrients

[AdamWW]

Sugar=carb=macro.

But then wouldn't Fiber be a Macro, too?

[WonderPug]

Sugar=carb=macro.

Monosaccharides in this thread get no respect.* None. Zilch. Nada.









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* The OP seems to be picking on monosaccharides.

[WonderPug]

I was under the impression that Fats, Carbohydrates, and Proteins were the 3 "Macro" nutrients

Ah, yea.

[AdamWW]

I'm not PICKING on anything I was just curious to have more information.

Usually when people ask for someone's Macros, they don't ask for Fats, Carbs, SUGARS, and Proteins.. they ask about Fat/Carb/Protein only.

If we say sugars are a macros, but are only concerned about Fats/Carbs/Protein, isn't that kind of contradictory?

[Lvisaa2]

I'm not PICKING on anything I was just curious to have more information.

Usually when people ask for someone's Macros, they don't ask for Fats, Carbs, SUGARS, and Proteins.. they ask about Fat/Carb/Protein only.

If we say sugars are a macros, but are only concerned about Fats/Carbs/Protein, isn't that kind of contradictory?

Fiber = carb = macro. Its like splitting up sat fats/monosat fats/etc and asking why they aren't macros. They are, but are simply encompassed within the larger macronutrient construct labeled fats. I'm not really sure how it is confusing that a sugar = a carb which is a macro.