Sugar and Sweets: Are They Really Bad for Your Health?

Sugar and carbohydrates often get a bad rap, but is it really deserved?

The issue is not with sugar itself but with consuming too much of it. In fact, sugar is a vital nutrient for the brain, and our body and muscles also require carbohydrates to function properly.

Certainly, consuming large amounts of sugar can be problematic.
For example, after a hot pot meal, the rice porridge gradually thickens—this is the effect of sugar. When rice is left out, it hardens into a natural adhesive—this too is due to sugar. It's understandable to be concerned when thinking about this happening inside your stomach.

However, the issue is only with excessive amounts.
When stomach acid causes pain, this sugar can coat the stomach lining, providing protection. The same applies to the intestines.
Your body needs sugar in the right amounts—not too much, not too little.

In today's world, excess sugar intake is common, so reducing it is advisable.
Too much sugar can lead to diabetes, cause various parts of the body to harden due to glycation, and make proper elimination difficult, resulting in significant health issues. However, sugar itself is not the enemy. If we say that, we must also say "vinegar," "salt," "coffee," "alcohol," "grains," "vegetables," "fish," and "meat" are dangerous if consumed excessively.

In a certain country, an experiment was conducted.
Judges were instructed to avoid sugar for a while, and then they presided over trials of minor offenders. Typically, these offenders would be sent to prison after thorough scrutiny, but the unexpected result was "everyone was released." It was revealed that the judges could not make calm decisions.

Another issue is "hypoglycemia."

Metabolism drops drastically, and the flow of qi, blood, and fluids worsens. As a result, blood hormone levels can decrease, or poor circulation can prevent serotonin and other substances that affect mental stability from reaching the brain, which can lead to emotional instability. However, hypoglycemia is rarely highlighted as a problem. In severe cases of hypoglycemia, it can lead to immediate death or, at best, a vegetative state.

Since sugar is also related to physical performance, not only mental workers but also manual laborers need a certain amount of sugar. If hypoglycemia progresses, the body may become unable to function properly.

Now let's look at the different types of sugar.

Brown Sugar: Made from sugarcane.
It is said to warm the body and be good for the liver, spleen, and stomach.
It is believed to be beneficial for menstrual pain, postpartum abdominal pain, menstrual irregularities, chills, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and fatigue. However, excessive consumption can cause abdominal bloating and diarrhea.
Since it retains moisture, overconsumption can lead to water retention or edema.
Because it is unrefined, it is more nutritious compared to white sugar. It is alkaline and contains vitamins.
It also contains potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, niacin, and more. The richness in nutrients also means that excessive intake can be dangerous.
It can lead to the formation of liver fat and burden the liver. Additionally, warming the body can also make it more prone to inflammation. Enzymes are consumed in large quantities to suppress inflammation, which accelerates aging as a result.

White Sugar: Made from beets and sugarcane.
It is beneficial for the spleen and lungs.
It is considered good for hangovers, coughs, and persistent nausea. However, it can produce excess water and heat within the body. People who are prone to swelling or feeling cold should avoid it.
High blood pressure patients, the elderly, infants, young children, and pregnant women should consume it in moderation.
When people think of sugar, they often think of white sugar.
There are many precautions associated with white sugar.
The metabolism of sugar consumes a large amount of B vitamins, which can lead to decreased concentration and lethargy.
Allergies are also more likely to occur. Additionally, it can harden in various parts of the body, making bowel movements difficult, and according to the Five Elements theory, it can negatively affect the kidneys.
White sugar can easily cause blood sugar abnormalities, leading to the secretion of aggressive hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. As a result, it can cause irritability and make people more prone to outbursts.

Stevia
Stevia is considered a relatively safe herb. I apologize for my limited information, but it contains a component called stevioside, which is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar.
Because it is low in calories, it is used in hospital diets, diabetic diets, and diet foods.
However, it is not recommended to consume it in large quantities.
Additionally, there is little information regarding long-term use, so whether it can be recommended or not remains unknown.
We are waiting for more information. Go science!

Licorice
Licorice is a legume plant.
It has positive effects on the heart, lungs, spleen, and stomach. It is said to boost energy and is effective for loss of appetite, shortness of breath, diarrhea, asthma, muscle pain, aches, and sore throat. However, due to its hormone-like effects, long-term use can lead to swelling.
The glycyrrhizin contained in licorice works similarly to steroids.
Steroids are considered by doctors as medications that should not be prescribed easily and require careful attention and understanding before use due to their potential dangers.
While they have anti-inflammatory effects, they can also reduce immunity and cause side effects such as moon face.
Those with skin conditions understand the fear, as even stopping the use of steroids requires caution.
If the effect of steroids wanes, stronger ones are used, leading to a vicious cycle of further reduced immunity.
This is a concern in the world of medication where enhanced efficacy is discussed, but licorice, even in milder forms, carries the same potential. Therefore, long-term use is not recommended.

Beet Sugar 
Beet sugar comes from the beet, a relative of the radish, and is also known as "beet." It has a slight cooling effect on the body and works on the lungs, spleen, stomach, liver, and kidneys.
It is considered beneficial for stopping vomiting blood, menstrual pain, and irregular bleeding, and is also recommended during menopause.
It also has effects such as cooling fever, alleviating diarrhea, and calming excessive energy. It is not recommended for those with high blood sugar levels.
Beet sugar is also rich in nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, sodium, folic acid, raffinose, and betaine.
It is commonly used as a raw material for sugar. Therefore, the precautions for beet sugar are similar to those for white sugar.

Oligosaccharides
The effects of oligosaccharides can vary depending on the vegetables used as their raw materials.
They are considered relatively safe sugars because they do not remain in the body for long. However, it is important to note that excessive intake of oligosaccharides can lead to diarrhea.

Unfortunately, I am not a registered dietitian, so I am unable to provide specific numbers. Additionally, some information is limited and may be biased. There may also be effects or cautionary points that are not yet known.

However, one thing that can be said, as repeated before, is that “excess of anything can be harmful.”
Neither too little nor too much is ideal.
Black sugar, white sugar, stevia, licorice, and beet sugar can be beneficial when consumed in appropriate amounts, as sugar is a necessary nutrient.
However, there is no basis for the claim that black sugar is inherently safer than white sugar, nor can we assert that white sugar is safe simply because it is refined.

Irritability can occur not only from white sugar but also from other sources. The absence of sugar might also lead to frustration.
Moreover, it cannot be said that natural sweeteners like stevia and beet sugar are always safe just because they are not artificial. Plants do not exist to be consumed by humans; they exist for their own survival. For instance, the natural plant Aconite is highly toxic to humans. Natural does not always mean benign.

Additionally, many foods contain sugar. White rice contains sugar, and traditional Japanese cuisine uses sugar as a seasoning. Therefore, it's often suggested that there is no need to consume additional sugar through snacks.

According to the principles of the Five Elements, it's recommended to pair sweet foods with bitter or sour ones.
Consuming excessive amounts of sugar alone can weaken the kidneys, so incorporating spicy or salty foods can be beneficial as well. Of course, overconsumption of these, too, can lead to significant issues. Ultimately, maintaining a "balanced" diet is the most important thing.

Even a slight imbalance can lead to significant issues.

Thank you very much!