Is sugar REALLY that bad for you? Food experts reveal everything you need to know about the sweet treat

IT’S common knowledge that too much sugar is bad for the body… but what are the real health implications behind your favourite sweet treats?

When it comes to diets, it can be difficult to know whether health advice is fact or fiction.

Food experts Jimmy Doherty, Matt Tebbutt and Kate Quilton are set to tell all in a Channel 4 documentary this evening.

On the Food Unwrapped series, the researchers debunk some myths about sugar, and teach viewers a bit about some sweet alternatives.

Is sugar always bad for you?

The documentary reveals that sugar doesn’t always have to be viewed negatively.

According to the World Sugar Research Organisation, sugar can be vital to help with re-hydration when kids are suffering from illnesses including diarrhoea and vomiting.

Do you have to cut out yoghurt and milk?

While there are naturally occurring sugars in both of these dairy products, there is no need to cut these foods completely from your diet.

Enjoying plain yoghurt and milk in moderate quantities shouldn’t have any negative affect on your health.

It’s the added extras, such as that naughty extra sugar in your tea, that will be detrimental to your diet.

What about eating fruit?

Just like in yoghurt and milk, there are naturally occurring sugars in fruit.

The NHS advises that people should eat five portions of fruit and vegetables today, as they’re a good source of vitamins and minerals.

As long as you don’t go overboard with fruit intake, it’s unlikely that the natural sugars will be damaging to your health.

Is drinking smoothies good for you?

While it’s advisable to incorporate whole fruits into your diet, blended juices can have a negative impact on your body.

The NHS urges smoothie-lovers to stick to a small 150ml glass a day to prevent themselves from taking in too much sugar.

This should help to prevent tooth decay and cavities.

They advise: “When fruit is juiced or blended, the sugars are released. Once released, these sugars can damage teeth, especially if fruit juice is drunk frequently.”

Are sugar alternatives always healthy?

Even though natural replacements are preferable over refined sugars, it’s important not to go overboard with the alternatives.

It’s important to consider that agave syrup and honey are more calorific than processed sweeteners.

Despite this, they are less likely to cause spikes in your blood sugar.

How easy is it to cut down on sugar?

Food without sweeteners doesn’t have to be boring… it can simply be as easy halving the amount of sugar in recipes.

When whipping up your favourite treat, reducing the sweetness won’t compromise the flavour, and will be more beneficial to your health.