Are All Sugars Created Equal?

I'm so glad you asked. :-)

As a matter of fact, the answer is NO.

Now, there's a bit of science involved here, so bear with me for those of you (like me) whose eyes might have the tendency to automatically glaze over at the mention of such a thing. The thing is, simple and complex carbohydrates aren't just different because of their names. They actually *act* differently when they enter the body. Complex carbs actually take longer to break down in the body. Enzymes in the body have to break down the bonds between the sugars. Because of this process, they enter the bloodstream at an even pace. You will also get other nutrients in complex carbs, such as fiber and vitamins. Foods that would fall into this category would be vegetables, grains, and legumes.

Fructose sugars, also known as simple monosaccharides, are the sugars that come from fruits. These would be the next best type of sugar. While these provide quick energy, they still have the benefit of fiber to slow the absorption.

Now let's consider the simple carbohydrate, or "junk sugars", as labeled by this article from the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute. These simple carbs are short, uncomplicated molecules. They break down quickly and head straight for the bloodstream. Read more about how this works, as well as more detail about the other carbohydrates mentioned in the article.

So, now that you know the difference, not only do you have something to bring up for a fun discussion at your next dinner party, but you'll also have something to consider the next time you're standing in front of the appetizer table at said party. The veggie tray, the fruit tray, or the cookie tray? ;-)