Wendy DamonteChannel 2 News
We all know too many sweets pack on the pounds but they're often too hard to resist. A commentary in the latest issue of Nature says sugar is responsible for the high rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer and should be regulated.
Dr. Robert Lustig is with the University of California, San Francisco. "Because of the way sugar is metabolized in the liver, the liver will turn sugar into fat causing insulin resistance and all of the diseases of the metabolic syndrome."
The authors say it's time to put restrictions on sugar similar to the ones on tobacco and alcohol. "What if we had an age limit to purchase soda for instance? Carding kids for Coke. I think it's a great idea."
Experts say the average American consumes 300-500 calories from added sugars a day. And some of it is in foods you may not realize; like breads, soups, and salad dressings. Nutritionist Keri Glassman says limiting sugar is a good idea. "I think regulation will be tough but I think that there are small steps we can take."
But people like Pat Dixon disagree. "You don't have a car accident because you've had too many popsicles. You don't wake up with the wrong people because you had chocolate cake for dessert. I mean, the government should stay out of the sugar business."
The researchers know it will take time to change attitudes but with obesity levels where they are now, they say tackling sugar is the only way to solve the problem.
