The 60 minutes piece that was aired on CBS confirmed what we have been reporting about sugar for years – even to the point of being criticized for linking sugar consumption and cancer. If you have not seen this expose on 60 Minutes – please spend some time to see the tremendous health issues sugar poses not only for diabetes and obesity – but heart disease and cancer as well.
Whether it is Red Bull, RockStar, Monster, or Full Throttle, it seems so-called “energy drinks” are all the craze. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that these popular drinks contain very little nutrient value and are packed with caffeine. A survey of the top selling energy drinks in America reveals nutritional facts panels that have no more than 5-7 ingredients.
A study recently published in the science journal Neuron subverts the commonly held belief that consuming sugar can make you feel more energetic. Researchers at the University of Cambridge reveal that protein is responsible for activating cells that keep us awake and help us burn more calories, not glucose. According to the study results, our alertness and energy levels depend on a set of cells called “orexin cells”, which secrete a substance that acts as a stimulant for the brain. When these cells stop functioning properly or become mutated, sleep disorders like narcolepsy, as well as weight gain, may settle in.