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Sugar is Sugar An article titled, Tricking Taste Buds but Not the Brain: Artificial Sweeteners Change Brains

Pleasure Response to Sweet, was published on the Scientific American Blog, September 5, 2013. Caitlin Kirkwood discusses the use of artificial sweeteners beginning around the time of World War II (1). Due to sugar shortages companies started promoting foods containing sucralose (Kirkwood 1). These companies targeted people who wanted to reduce weight or sugar intake (Kirkwood 1). Today artificial sweeteners are used in foods such as gum, baby food, boxed dinners and soft drinks (Kirkwood 1). Sucralose is also at the center of a large debate (Kirkwood 1). Some studies indicate artificial sweeteners to be linked to Alzheimers disease, cancer, and obesity (Kirkwood, 1). When sugar has been eaten, dopamine is released in the brain (Kirkwood 2). Kirkwood reveals that a study done by Frank et al, indicates that the brain does prefer real sugar to artificial sweetener (2). The brain can tell if real sugar has been consumed or artificial sweetener was substituted, even if the taste buds cannot decipher the difference (Kirkwood 1-2). Kirkwood poses the question; What if a person consumes diet soda on a regular basis (2)? Research done by Murphy and Green implies, that regular consumers of diet soft drinks may render the same part of the brain incapable of distinguishing the difference between real sugars and artificial sweetener (Kirkwood 3). The study found that the more diet drinks consumed, the lower the response in the brain (Kirkwood 3). Kirkwood concludes; real sugar or not, moderation is the key to a healthy brain reward system (3). An Article titled What are You Eating? featured in the Tribune Newspaper follows an interview between writer Danielle Braff and Mira Kozel (Calton) on August 08, 2013. Mira Kozel had been eating a diet consistent for weight management (Braff 1). This included things

like low fat muffins, fat free salad dressings, and prepackaged healthy meals (Braff 1). This resulted in a diagnosis of osteoporosis at the age of 30 with the bone density of an 88 year old woman (Braff 1). Doctors told her she would not be able to live a normal life (Braff 1). It was at this time Mira began to evaluate her diet by focusing on cutting out genetically modified organisms, restoring healthy fats and maximizing her micronutrients (Braff 1). Today Mira has regained her health and reversed her grim diagnosis (Braff 2). Mira and her husband Jayson Calton have authored a book called; Rich Food Poor Food. Most of the foods we eat today are products of GMO crops. Jayson Clayton asserts, There have been no long term studies, but there have been short term studies, and theyre bad across the board (Braff 2). Some of the common GMO foods include sugar, soy, corn, and canola. Only organic versions of these foods have not been modified (Braff, 2). The book lists 14 non organic foods that can be consumed that are not organic (Braff 2-3). This list included to name a few cabbage, sweet potatoes and asparagus (Braff 3). The Claytons end the interview emphasizing Turn the box over and read whats in it, Youd be surprised(Braff 2). Friday; September 6, 2013 The Guardians, Sarah Boseley has written an article titled Smoothies and Fruit Juices are a New Risk to Health. Barry Popkin and George Bray made the nation aware of the use of corn syrup in soft drinks ten years ago ( Boseley 1). The consumption of sugar in soft drinks was also identified at as a major source of obesity in the United States (Boseley 1). It was at this time large soft drink producers began producing smoothies and juice drinks (Boseley 1). These companies pushed sales by promoting these drinks as an easy way to boost fruit and vegetable intake (Bosley 1-2). Despite the source of sugar, the bodys response is the same; All sugars are equal in their bad effects sites Popkin; even those described on cereal snack bars sold in health food shops as containing completely

natural sweeteners(Bosley 2). It seems most people think the problem exists in things such as corn syrup, beet or cane sugar. The cheapest sugar on the market is actually those derived from juice concentrates (Boseley 2). Juice concentrates are the fifth most common sugar over all and the second most common in things like soft drinks and baby formula (Bosley 2-3). Studies show that people eating whole fruit were less likely to develop diabetes, while juice drinkers were at an increased risk (Bosley 3). Regardless of these findings, the main focus still remains on sodas and similar soft drinks (Bosley 3). In an article published this year in a journal for Pediatric Obesity; Bray and Popkin declare, The concern with HFCS in our diet has led to a reduced proportion of HFCS in beverages compared to other sugars (Bosley 4). Furthermore; this is a misplaced shiftfructose remains a large part of the global diet, advises Popkin and Barry (Bosley 4). One of the primary causes in the development of obesity, diabetes and heart disease is the large presence of sugar in the diet (Boseley 1; Braff 1; Kirkwood 1). Sugar comes in several forms such as; cane sugar, beet sugar, fruit juices, artificial sweeteners, and corn syrups (Boseley 1; Braff 1; Kirkwood 1). Sugar has become a large part of the global diet, with presence in

almost everything we consume in one form or another (Boseley 1; Braff 1; Kirkwood 1). Sucralose, artificial sugar, is present not only in weight management shakes, soft drinks or diabetic foods, but it is also present in surprising items; such as, baby food, and vitamins (Kirkwood 1). Often people choosing these alternatives; containing an artificial sweetener, are under the impression they are making a healthy choice (Braff 1) . However if consumers brains are no longer responding to the pleasure of a sweet experience; is this a healthy choice (Kirkwood 1)? Artificial sweetener remains a link to obesity and some cancers (Kirkwood 1). It has to be assumed that if the brain no longer responds to the experience, then the experience

remains unsatisfying with a lower release of dopamine (Kirkwood 2-3). A lowered response along with links to serious illness, deem artificial sweetener as nothing but a threat if consumed in large quantities (Kirkwood 3; Braff 1). Fruit juice has replaced corn syrup and soft drinks over the past ten years. Current studies are now showing an increased risk of diabetes for consumers (Boseley 1). Consumers who replaced these drinks with whole fruit decreased that risk significantly (Boseley 2). It has to be formulated that just because the sugar comes from a fruit does not mean it is healthy and safe to consume in large quantities (Boseley 3). Sugar is one of several foods that have been genetically modified along with corn and some fruits (Braff 1-2). If sugar is a large part of the global diet it has to be implicated that foods with added sugar of any kind is also genetically modified as well (Boseley 3; Braff 2). Genetically modified foods are deprived of necessary micronutrients (Braff 1). Lack of these nutrients and consumption of GMOs are not only linked to obesity related diseases but also to things like osteoporosis (Braff 1; Boseley 1; Kirkwood 2). Buying organic foods and adhering to a list of foods that are not modified may not only help avoid disease but has been indicated to reverse conditions like osteoporosis (Braff 2-3). The bottom line is sugar is sugar regardless of its form (Boseley 1; Braff 1; Kirkwood 1). Any type of sugar consumption in large quantities is going to illicit an unhealthy response in the body (Bosley 1; Braff 1; Kirkwood 1). The key to maintaining good health and keeping weight under control is moderation (Kirkwood 3). Sticking to foods rich in micronutrients and focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables can reduce risks to many diseases (Bosley 1; Braff 1; Kirkwood 1).

It is important to not be fooled by marketing into thinking any type of sugar is healthy and able to be consumed in unlimited quantities without a consequence.

Works Cited Kirkland, Caitlin. Tricking the Taste Buds but Not the Brain: Artificial Sweeteners Change the Brains Response to Sweet. Scientific America 5 Sept. 2013: 1-4 Braff, Danielle. What Are You Eating? Tribune Newspapers 8 Aug. 2013: 1-3 Bosley, Sarah. Smoothies and Fruit Juices are a New Risk to Health, US Scientists Warn. The Guardian.com 6 Sept. 2013 19: Sept 2013 access

Revision Sumary

Professor Brand, I started out really struggling with this assignment. I first chose a subject that was just not working for me. I honestly was disappointed in myself because I will not always receive assignments needing research that I understand well or enjoy. I did do better when I switched from science to health. I also struggled with the MLA format for resource citation. This was a foreign idea to me all together. I submitted my paper for external review and peer review and all of the feedback I received was mostly my lack of understanding. I went to the writing center on Saturday and it really helped to talk some of my frustrations and understanding out. I did not realize how well I had learned and understood MLA citation till completing the quiz with little effort and thought. I also did well. I also had several punctuation errors. I went through my paper reading aloud several times till I felt like I found them all as Andrew a classmate had suggested. I struggle with comas and semicolons. The writing center also suggested that when reading aloud if something seems like a natural pause it most likely needs a coma. I find that I struggle with my spacing between words and sentences as well. I think this is because of our system at work requires certain spacing and I tend to do this without thought. I feel like my final product is punctuated well, built with the proper citations, and is reader friendly. Thank You Christine Herra

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