The Importance of Blood Sugar and Sugar Alcohol
Why is blood sugar so important for your body? Energy. That's
right. Blood sugar provides the body with energy that
your body needs to function properly. Glucose (comes from sugar)
helps fuel and replenish the body so that it processes like it
should. Besides giving your body energy and stabilizing it, you
may ask, "Why is blood sugar really important?" Here's why: High
or low levels of blood sugar can actually be hazardous to your
health. Unusual amounts of blood sugar can lead to sweating,
dizziness, confusion, shaking, seizures, a fast heart rate, and
other complications. A couple of well-known blood sugar
disorders are Diabetes and hypoglycemia.
Blood sugar levels can depend on (1) overeating
(2) unhealthy eating (3) lack of exercise
(4) stress (5) medication and (6) by
disease or infection. Now you're probably thinking, "What's the
best way to combat all that?" A healthy diet and exercise will
help you maintain normal blood sugar levels. Choosing the right
foods to eat and exercising regularly will balance your blood
sugar levels so they don't skyrocket on you. This doesn't mean
you can't enjoy all the foods you've loved your whole life.
There are natural and safe substitutes that will allow you to
keep the "sweet" in your diet.
Xylitol, a common sugar alcohol, is a naturally occurring
substance that looks and tastes like sugar, but is healthier for
you. Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are commonly used as
sweeteners and bulking agents. Table sugar and other
carbohydrates can elevate blood sugar to unhealthy levels or
cause reactions to the insulin that is subsequently produced.
The great thing about xylitol is that it's absorbed into the
bloodstream much slower than table sugar and other carbohydrates
and that means it carries 40% less calories.
Sugar alcohol comes in a variety of forms (e.g., xylitol,
mannitol, sorbitol, and others). These can be found in an
assortment of foods such as soft drinks, candy, chewing gum,
cookies, and many other "sugar-free products." Xylitol is
crystalline in form and a normal substance found in everyday
metabolism. The FDA has given xylitol its safest rating as a
food additive which means it's perfectly healthy and safe for
human consumption. It's even safe to consume for those with
diabetes and hypoglycemia.
Blood sugar and sugar alcohol are closely related
to stabilizing, maintaining, and helping the body process and
function properly. If not closely watched, blood sugar levels in
the body can cause serious health issues. Sugar alcohols can
help reduce calories and keep blood sugar levels in areas that
they need to be so that you can live a healthier and more
energetic life.