High consumption of white sugar and high fructose corn syrup is dangerous–‘A science-backed guide to overcoming sweet cravings’
White, unrefined, brown, and unprocessed cane sugar
(Photo by via Wikipedia)
High consumption of white sugar and high fructose corn syrup is dangerous. Here is what ChatGPT responded with when I told it, “Please list health problems associated with consumption of white sugar”:
Health Problems Linked to White Sugar Consumption
1. Weight Gain & Obesity
High sugar intake adds excess calories with no nutritional value.
Sugar promotes overeating because it does not create lasting satiety.
Sugary foods and drinks are strongly associated with increased body fat, especially abdominal fat.
2. Type 2 Diabetes
Excess sugar contributes to insulin resistance, a key step in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Frequent blood-sugar spikes burden the pancreas and worsen glucose regulation.
3. Heart Disease
High intake of added sugar is associated with:
Higher triglycerides
Lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol
Increased blood pressure
Greater systemic inflammation
These factors increase risk of heart disease even in people who are not overweight.
4. Liver Disease (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease)
Sugar—especially fructose from sucrose—can overload the liver.
Excess fructose is converted into fat in the liver, promoting fatty liver disease.
5. Dental Cavities & Oral Health Problems
Sugar feeds oral bacteria, producing acids that erode enamel.
Strongly linked to cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss.
6. Increased Risk of Certain Cancers
High sugar intake contributes indirectly through:
Chronic inflammation
Higher insulin and IGF-1 levels
Obesity and fatty liver
Evidence is stronger for cancers such as breast, colon, and pancreatic, though sugar is not considered a direct carcinogen.
7. Skin Problems (Acne and Premature Aging)
Sugar raises insulin, which increases androgen activity and sebum production → acne.
High sugar intake increases advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which damage collagen → wrinkles and decreased skin elasticity.
8. Mood Swings, Fatigue, and Anxiety Symptoms
Sugar causes rapid spikes and crashes in blood glucose, which can lead to:
Irritability
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating (“sugar crash”)
Worsening of anxiety symptoms in some individuals
9. Addiction-like Behaviors
Sugar stimulates reward pathways in the brain through dopamine release.
In some individuals, this can lead to craving cycles similar to addictive patterns.
10. Immune Function Suppression
Short-term high sugar intake can reduce certain white blood cell activities, making the immune response temporarily less effective.
11. Gut Health Disruption
Excess sugar can promote dysbiosis (imbalanced gut microbiota).
May increase intestinal inflammation and alter microbiome diversity.
12. Increased Risk of Gout
Sugar raises uric acid, increasing risk of gout attacks.
13. Higher Risk of Cognitive Decline (long-term)
High sugar diets are associated with poorer memory performance and greater risk of dementia, possibly due to inflammation and impaired glucose metabolism in the brain.
Natural News posted the following about its views on how to overcome sweet cravings:
Breaking free from SUGAR: A science-backed guide to overcoming sweet cravings
December 4, 2025
- Check labels for deceptive names (e.g., barley malt, dextrose) and beware of sugars in savory foods like ketchup and salad dressings.
- Use stevia, monk fruit, honey or maple syrup for sweetness instead of table sugar.
- Opt for fresh, low-glycemic fruits (e.g., berries) over dried fruits or juices to satisfy cravings with fiber and nutrients.
- Eating protein and fats (e.g., avocado, olive oil) helps stabilize energy and reduce cravings.
- Stress drives sugar consumption; combat cravings with exercise, meditation, journaling or “stop objects” like chewing gum.
For decades, sugar has been a silent saboteur of health, lurking in everything from breakfast cereals to salad dressings. Between 2005 and 2009, an alarming 74% of processed foods contained added sugars—often disguised under dozens of deceptive names. While many recognize the dangers of excessive sugar consumption, breaking free from its grip remains a challenge.
Experts agree that quitting sugar isn’t just about willpower—it’s about retraining the palate, stabilizing blood sugar and addressing the emotional triggers that drive cravings. …
Fresh fruit satisfies sweet cravings while delivering fiber and nutrients. Dr. Luc Tappy recommends eating two servings daily, https://www.naturalnews.com/2025-12-04-science-backed-guide-to-overcoming-sweet-cravings.html
Yes, it is good for most people to consume less refined sugars as well as to eat two or more servings of fruit per day.
But let me add something that the Natural News article missed, and that is chromium.
As it turns out, raw natural cane sugar has between 10-30 times as much chromium than does white sugar. Now, since the human body needs chromium (it is an essential nutrient), many people will unknowingly eat a lot of white sugar as their bodies badly want chromium. However, since there is so little chromium in white sugar, it becomes somewhat of an addictive loop. Some people find taking a supplement with chromium (preferable the GTF form) can help break that cycle.
Furthermore, eating real food, such as whole grains, meats, vegetables, and fruit, also provide more chromium than the more processed foods which often predominate Western diets. Real foods also tend to satisfy hunger cravings better.
That said, notice that there was a study questioning the wisdom of limiting sugary foods, but that it had funding with ties to those who sell such items:
Study Questions Sugar Limits, but There’s a Big Catch
Guess who funded it?
December 20, 2016
(Newser) – A new study about sugar is good news for companies that make sugar-laden products. The problem is that the study itself was funded by those very same companies. As Time reports, the research newly published in the Annals of Internal Medicine looks specifically at guidelines, including those in the US, advising people to limit added sugars to less than 10% of their daily calories. That’s about the equivalent of a large soda. The researchers concluded that those guidelines are “not trustworthy” and “based on low-quality evidence.” Study author Bradley Johnston also accuses scientists of using sugar as “the scapegoat for the rise in obesity and diabetes” when “it’s one factor among many,” per NPR. The review was funded by the International Life Science Institute, whose board members include reps from McDonald’s, Coca Cola, Pepsi, Nestle, and Hershey.
That’s a major red flag, says a nutrition professor at New York University, who calls the study a “shameful” move by food and beverage companies “right out of the tobacco industry’s playbook,” per Reuters. http://www.newser.com/story/235724/study-questions-sugar-limits-but-theres-a-big-catch.html
The link between sugar and chronic diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes is well established, but even though many public health groups recommend limiting sugar intake, they differ widely on the recommended daily limits.
The most recent U.S. dietary guidelines recommend Americans get less than 10% of their daily calories from added sugars—which is roughly the equivalent of a 16-ounce soda. The World Health Organization has issued similar guidelines …
Complicating things is a new study published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, where researchers looked at the evidence used to support daily sugar limits of less than 10% of a person’s total calories. Ultimately, they concluded that those public health recommendations were based on low-quality science. …
Still, some researchers expressed concern about the trustworthiness of the new findings since the research was funded by the North American branch of the International Life Sciences Institute (ISLI), a trade group whose board is made up of scientists as well as representatives for major food and beverage companies. ISLI members include Coca-Cola Company, The Hershey Company, Dupont, Mars, Inc., Monster Energy Company, Nestlé USA, PepsiCo and more. 12/19/16 http://time.com/4606331/sugar-daily-limit/
Although there can be debates about nutrition, the reality is that a lot of ‘nutritional advice’ is based on information from those with ties to various aspects of the food processing and agricultural industries–particularly among those who sell sugary liquids.
Notice also the following:
12 July 2025
In the era of sugary drinks, new research warns about a risk that is often underestimated: **liquid sugar**. Unlike sugar present in solid foods, which is consumed through **artificial juices, sodas, or energy drinks**, liquid sugar seems to have more aggressive effects on health.
The main issue is that, being dissolved, **the body absorbs it more quickly**, sharply raising blood glucose levels. This sudden metabolic response activates mechanisms that, in the long term, can **damage vital organs such as the liver and pancreas**.
Furthermore, liquid sugar does not produce a feeling of satiety. https://noticiasambientales.com/wellbeing/liquid-sugar-the-most-dangerous-sweet-why-drinking-it-is-worse-than-eating-it/
December 4, 2025
High-fructose corn syrup starts as corn syrup, but manufacturers add enzymes to convert a portion of its glucose to fructose. Fructose tastes sweeter than glucose, so high-fructose corn syrup packs more of a punch.
“The key difference between corn syrup and high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) lies in their sugar composition,” Amy Goodson, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, told us. “Regular corn syrup is 100% glucose, while HFCS is made by converting some of that glucose into fructose to enhance sweetness.” …
HFCS-55: About 55% fructose / 45% glucose; common in soft drinks https://www.tasteofhome.com/article/is-corn-syrup-bad-for-you/
High fructose corn syrup and cane sugar look to be the two most commonly consumed liquefied sugars.
But those with financial interests in selling questionable ‘foods’ do not want people to pay attention to the health risks their products pose.
This is not new phenomena.
Decades ago, I recall reading a scientific paper where the author (correctly) stated that there was a lot more money being spent by companies who sold caffeinated products to publish pro-caffeine studies than by those who were not in favor of caffeine.
Furthermore, decades ago, I was a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). As a member, I attended its annual convention once in 1994. It was only once, and afterwards I did not renew my membership. I saw that McDonald’s and other fast-food companies had booths at the convention. Furthermore, I noticed that I could have gotten continuing education credit if I would have attended a lecture/seminar at the conference titled something to the effect of Nutritive vs. Non-Nutritive Sweeteners–that was put on by Monsanto.
While I had my doubts about the ADA before I attended, having seen first hand how I felt that group sold-out made it clear that financial interests were ahead of health and nutrition.
Now, people will hear about ‘studies’ and other reports that will seem to make something not healthy seem healthy. Many will grasp at that as an excuse to do what they know that they should not do.
This seems to be warned about in the Bible. Notice the contrast:
14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:14-15)
Many seemingly wish to love a lie.
Artificial sweeteners are also a lie. They should not be consumed by almost everyone.
Notice something from the German press about artificial sweeteners:
Sugar-free products stop us getting slimmer
Many people believe that synthetic sweeteners will help them lose weight. But it turns out that one common substitute for sugar actually blocks the function of an enzyme that is essential for preventing obesity. …
Subsequently, the researchers took four groups of mice. Two of them received a normal diet, the other two a high-fat diet. One of each of them received water to drink and the other an aspartame solution.
The amount of sweetener solution given to the normal diet group was equivalent to a human drinking three-and-a-half cans of soda a day. For the high-fat group it amounted to the equivalent of two cans.
In the end, there were hardly any noticeable differences between the two groups of mice that were fed a normal diet. But among the groups that received a high-fat diet, the mice that drank the sweetener solution became considerably heavier than those who drank plain water.
However, the blood sugar level was higher than normal in all of the mice that received sweetener solution. This is usually an indicator of glucose intolerance. All of these mice also experienced an increase of a protein called TNF-alpha in their blood. This protein is typically related to inflammations that are common in cases of metabolic syndrome.
What does that mean for humans? You’d be better off drinking plain water, or tea without sugar or sweetener, than grabbing a “zero-sugar” refreshment. 11/24/16 http://www.dw.com/en/sugar-free-products-stop-us-getting-slimmer/a-36504096
Phony foods are not food, but basically a form of deception.
Furthermore, the Bible warns about eating things that are not really food:
2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good (Isaiah 55:2).
Artificial sweeteners, chemical additives, excess refined sugar, and some other items commonly associated with junk foods would seem to be consistent with that warning.
The refining of sugar used to be a difficult and expensive process.
Until a few centuries ago, almost no one ever ate sugar any more refined than honey.
Although the Bible says that honey is good (Proverbs 24:13) even that should be limited according to the Bible:
6 Have you found honey?
Eat only as much as you need,
Lest you be filled with it and vomit. (Proverbs 25:16)27 It is not good to eat much honey; (Proverbs 25:27)
Even ‘good’ sweets should be consumed sparingly.
As far as Coca-Cola specifically goes, its sponsoring of sporting events, use of celebrity endorsers, and political influence have sadly allowed people to believe it acts like it is a ‘responsible company.’ The tobacco industry also has been involved in such things.
In my view, Coca-Cola, along with many other companies, has been responsible for contributing to the harm of human health around the world.
Jesus taught:
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (Luke 6:31)
Who wants fake ‘scientific news’ that has been affected by greed?
Sadly, many companies have the wrong view of money:
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)
So, we will continue to see advertisements for a lot of things that are not healthy.
Do not be fooled. It normally take years, for example, before one’s diet results in diseases like diabetes. Consider this:
11 Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (Ecclesiastes 8:11)
23 … be sure your sin will find you out. (Numbers 32:23)
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7)
Do not do evil. Be careful about what you eat.
As a consumer, what should you eat? You should eat real food and be careful about your quantities.
2…Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good (Isaiah 55:2).
People should try to eat real, not artificial, foods.
The American and Anglo-Saxon descended nations are not setting the right example when it comes to diet and obesity and this does not bode well for them in the future (Proverbs 12:24; Daniel 11:39).
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Christian Health Matters Should Christians be concerned about their health? Does the Bible give any food and health guidelines? Here are links to three related sermons: Let’s Talk About Food, Evil is Affecting the Food Supply, and Let’s Talk About Health.
UK Study Supports Daniel Diet Daniel and his companions looked better eating more vegetables and avoiding strange meats. Has modern science confirmed this?
The New Testament Church, History, and Unclean Meats Are foods considered to have been unclean in the Old Testament considered to be food in the New Testament? This article discusses this from the perspective of the New Testament. It also has a list of clean and unclean animals. It also answers the question, is pork healthy or is pork dangerous? There is also a sermon-length video on this: Christians and Unclean Meats; four short videos are also available: Did Jesus declare all animal flesh food?, Should Christians Eat Insects?, COVID, Pandemics, and Unclean Meat, and Unclean Meat and True Christianity.
Obesity, processed foods, health risks, and the Bible Does the Bible warn about the consequences of being obese? Is overeating dangerous? Is gluttony condemned? What diseases are associated with eating too much refined foods? Two related videos would be: Is Obesity OK with Scripture? and Eating Right, Eating Too Much, and Prophecy.
Should Christians Exercise? What does the Bible teach? What are some of the benefits and risks of exercise? Here is a link to a related video: The Plain Truth About Exercise.
Ten Simple Rules that Lead to Health Herbert Armstrong gives his opinions on this.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
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