I was explaining this to my daughter in quite simplified terms the other day- we evolved to taste sugar and enjoy it because finding a sweet edible plant meant we had a source of energy to help us hunt that day. Pretty useful if you’re a hunter-gatherer.

So we seek out sugar. Now we can get it whenever we want it, in much more massive quantities than we are supposed to be processing. Most of us are addicted. I’m not an exception.

  • fine_sandy_bottom@lemmy.federate.cc
    5·
    2 months ago

    Berries like raspberries blackberries blueberries and even strawberries don’t have lots of sugar, maybe 5g per 100g. That’s one level teaspoon.

    The lactose in milk is almost all consumed in the fermentation process, so maybe a few more grams per 100.

    The rest of the sugar in those glasses is just sugar manufacturers include to make their product more appealing.

    One of the problems with sugar is that it represents empty calories.

    Given my age, weight, and activity levels maybe I need x calories per day, any more and I’ll gain weight. I also need protein and fibre and micronutrients. As you get older (like me) you get less good at extracting nutrients.

    The challenge is, getting enough nutrients in few enough calories to avoid gaining weight.

    In this context sugar is just dead weight.