It's pumpkin spice season, which means it's sugar season, so co-hosts Erin Stein and Dr. Gillian Goddard are talking about why we love sweet things so much and what's really going on in the body when we eat them. We start with why humans evolved to crave sugar, then break down what "sugar" means: glucose, fructose, lactose, and the "ose" family. Does it really matter which form you eat for your health? Why do some foods spike blood sugar and send you on a craving roller coaster, while others don't? The answers may surprise you. We also cover high fructose corn syrup and why food companies love it, whether raw sugar, honey, or agave are any better, what artificial sweeteners do in the body, and how alcohol fits in. Uncover the truths behind the endless hype about the sweet stuff.

References:

A couple of great books about the history of “sugar” as a commodity.

Sugar by Elizabeth Abbott.

The World of Sugar: How the Sweet Stuff Transformed Our Politics, Health and Environment over 2,000 Years by Ulbe Bosma.

The World Corrupted: From Slavery to Obesity by James Walvin.

We take a moment to remind you that while this is a medical discussion, it is not providing a diagnosis or treatment or any medical advice. The only way to get a diagnosis, treatment or medical advice for your particular condition is through a discussion with your doctor.

Please subscribe savvypatient.substack.com

Visit www.thesavvypatient.com/podcast for episode transcripts.

Watch full podcast episodes @TheSavvyPatient on Youtube.com.

Get your copy of The Hormone Loop by Dr. Gillian Goddard wherever books are sold.

This episode was produced and edited by Erin Stein. Music: “All We Live For (instrumental)” by Wolfclub licensed through Audiio.com. Intro and outro edited, and video created, by Ian Mayer. The Savvy Patient logo by Amanda Spielman.