There is always a continual debate concerning the pro's and cons of sugar.

On the extreme side many people have described sugar as being a poisen, largely because it provides no nutrtional value and does actually weaken the body. However, on the other side of the fence there does seem to be a practical use for a quick pick me up in todays busy world. Whilst sugar isn't an ideal solution, it is a solution therefore has value.

The aim of the Tour is not hail sugar as evil but merely to educate people as to how harmful excess sugar is and to raise more awareness of the information available on food labels, especially in processed foodsin order to keep our sugar levels to a healthy level.

The truth is that no one food is good or evil outside of the diet it is included in. Today's children are definately consuming more than the recommended amount of sugar in their diet (10% of total calories) and this is doing serious harm to their long term health.

Below I have highlighted some of the facts concerning sustained excessive levels of sugar in the diet.

Poor Concentration and Mental Focus

Excessive sugar has a strong mal-effect on the functioning of the brain. The key to orderly brain function is glutamic acid, a vital compound found in many vegetables. The B vitamins play a major role in dividing glutamic acid into antagonistic-complementary compounds which produce a "proceed" or "control" response in the brain. B vitamins are also manufactured by symbiotic bacteria which live in our intestines. When refined sugar is taken daily, these bacteria wither and die, and our stock of B vitamins gets very low. Too much sugar makes one sleepy; our ability to calculate and remember is lost.

Increased Fat 

Excess sugar eventually affects every organ in the body. Initially, it is stored in the liver in the form of glucose (glycogen). Since the liver's capacity is limited, a daily intake of refined sugar (above the required amount of natural sugar) soon makes the liver expand like a balloon. When the liver is filled to its maximum capacity, the excess glycogen is returned to the blood in the form of fatty acids. These are taken to every part of the body and stored in the most inactive areas: the belly, the buttocks, the breasts and the thighs.

Increased Hyperactivity in Children

Sugar increases adrenalin, a stimulating hormone secreted by the adrenal glands. This is far more pronounced in children than in adults, which might account for why children often have hyperactivity problems when their diet contains refined sugars.

Weakening of Bones

Calcium loss through the urine doubles when a soft drink containing sugar is consumed.  Cola drinks containing both caffeine and sugar caused the greatest calcium and bone loss in these subjects.

Fatigue and Colds

In addition, sugar is worse than nothing because it drains and leaches the body of precious vitamins and minerals through the demand its digestion, detoxification and elimination makes upon one's entire system. This reduction in Vitamins and Minerals can leave us feeling tired and more open to desease and infection.