This excerpt from That Sugar Book by Damon Gameau sheds light on the relationship between sugar and our behaviors. The author discusses how sugar releases endorphins in the brain, similar to the feeling of love, which can lead people to turn to sugar for comfort. However, the short-lived pleasure from sugar is not a sustainable substitute for genuine love and connection.
The author also explores how sugar can create a fog in our brains, affecting our perception and behavior. He shares an anecdote from a retired NASA physicist who experimented with various substances and discovered that sugar had the most profound effect on his brain, taking days to fully leave his body.
Overall, the excerpt highlights the importance of being mindful of our sugar intake and the impact it can have on our mental and emotional well-being. It also raises questions about the prevalence of hidden sugars in our food supply and the potential implications for society, particularly in terms of children's behavior and ability to concentrate in school.
That Sugar Book
Excerpt from That Sugar Book
by Damon Gameau
SWEETHEARTS
1 My pursuit of understanding our relationship with sugar resulted in one of the highlights of my trip. In San Francisco, I met author Kathleen DesMaisons, who has been helping people to break their sugar habits for 30 years. Meeting her was like being in the presence of a wise elder; she brimmed with knowledge and shared it with humility and warmth.
2 Kathleen talked to me about the need for people to be kind to themselves when removing sugar from their diets, as for some people it can be a very difficult process.
3 She explained that sugar releases beta-endorphins in the brain, the very same endorphins that are released by love. The trouble is that while sugar creates a similar feeling to love, it is short-lived and a poor replacement for the real thing. Kathleen helps people not by telling them to quit sugar abruptly and instilling fear, but by suggesting they seek ‘sweetness’ in other areas of their life. She assists people in switching their ‘rewards’ away from sugar-based ones and replacing them with more nourishing and enriching rewards. When this is done successfully, she says, the need for sugar just falls away. She assures people they aren’t losing anything by quitting sugar; in fact they are gaining a new way of life – one that should be relished and looked forward to.
4 When we understand that sugar releases the same endorphins as love, it becomes clear why chocolates are popular on Valentine’s Day, why people can devour a whole packet of chocolate biscuits in a sad moment and how it can be very tough for some people to reduce their sugar intake.
5 ‘People are turning to sugar for comfort,’ Kathleen told me. ‘We have forgotten how to get comfort in other places . . . When you live without sugar, you start to see the wonderful things in life you didn’t notice before, because you were too sugared up.’
6 Kathleen’s words resonated deeply with me. So many things in my life got better when I removed sugar. The new ‘sweetness’ in my life came from a calmer energy, a brighter personality, a healthier appearance and a deeper connection with others. Because of this, I know refined sugar will never again be a regular part of my life.
A CALMER WORLD
7 On my travels around the USA, I interviewed a retired NASA physicist named Thomas Campbell, a terrific chap who I could have happily talked to for hours (provided I had a box of muesli bars and some vitamin waters on hand). Thomas has a deep interest in the nature of reality and how we perceive the world. He helped develop a company called Monroe Laboratories that explores many facets of human consciousness. He decided to take a closer look at how sugar affects the brain.
8 Sugar can create a fog in our brain that clouds our perception.
9 An experienced meditator, Thomas once conducted an experiment where he got himself into a relaxed state and then consumed a variety of substances, including caffeine, nicotine, food coloring, sugar and artificial sweeteners. He told me that sugar had the most profound effect on him. He observed that the initial buzzing effect took around four hours to diminish and leave his mind and then a further eight days to leave his body. He now firmly believes sugar creates a fog in our brains that clouds our perception and our ability to operate at maximum potential.
10 I know from experience I am a different person when I’m not eating sugar. I am calmer, more patient, more present and more open to listen and communicate with people. Many would argue that they eat sugar all the time and they are fine, but how many of them have experienced what they are like without sugar? I suspect very few, given how early we begin our consumption and how prevalent sugar is in our food supply. Most people in our modern world would rarely go without sugar for four hours and even fewer people for the eight days it takes to completely leave our bodies.
11 This area of sugar and behavior has huge implications for society and is only now being examined more closely. The main focus should be on children. With the huge amount of hidden sugar found in ‘healthy’ breakfast cereals, juices and muesli bars, is it any wonder that some children are struggling to sit still and concentrate in class?
Excerpt from That Sugar Book by Damon Gameau. This text was used under fair use.
11 answers
#1 - The author most likely wrote these sections to –
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10 points
A - inform the reader about how the body processes sugar
B - convince the reader of the impact of sugar on the body
C - explain why people like sugary foods and treats
D - entertain the reader with extreme views on sugar use
*
10 points
A - inform the reader about how the body processes sugar
B - convince the reader of the impact of sugar on the body
C - explain why people like sugary foods and treats
D - entertain the reader with extreme views on sugar use
B - convince the reader of the impact of sugar on the body
The author likely wrote these sections to convince the reader of the impact of sugar on the body, particularly in terms of its effects on behavior, perception, and overall well-being. The information provided emphasizes the negative consequences of excessive sugar consumption and highlights the importance of being mindful of one's sugar intake for better health and well-being.
The author likely wrote these sections to convince the reader of the impact of sugar on the body, particularly in terms of its effects on behavior, perception, and overall well-being. The information provided emphasizes the negative consequences of excessive sugar consumption and highlights the importance of being mindful of one's sugar intake for better health and well-being.
#2 - Which sentence from the excerpt supports the author’s claim that sugar is addicting?
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10 points
A - He told me that sugar had the most profound effect on him.
B - When you live without sugar, you start to see the wonderful things in life you didn’t notice before.
C - When we understand that sugar releases the same endorphins as love.
D - Sugar can create a fog in our brain that clouds our perception.
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10 points
A - He told me that sugar had the most profound effect on him.
B - When you live without sugar, you start to see the wonderful things in life you didn’t notice before.
C - When we understand that sugar releases the same endorphins as love.
D - Sugar can create a fog in our brain that clouds our perception.
C - When we understand that sugar releases the same endorphins as love.
This sentence from the excerpt supports the author's claim that sugar is addicting by highlighting how sugar releases endorphins in the brain, similar to the feeling of love. This implies that the pleasurable effects of sugar consumption can lead to addictive behaviors.
This sentence from the excerpt supports the author's claim that sugar is addicting by highlighting how sugar releases endorphins in the brain, similar to the feeling of love. This implies that the pleasurable effects of sugar consumption can lead to addictive behaviors.
#3 - What does the word facets mean in paragraph 7?
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10 points
A - one of many sides
B - a particular aspect
C - the feature
D - surface of a cut gem
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10 points
A - one of many sides
B - a particular aspect
C - the feature
D - surface of a cut gem
B - a particular aspect
In the context of paragraph 7, the word "facets" is used to refer to particular aspects of human consciousness that Thomas Campbell explores.
In the context of paragraph 7, the word "facets" is used to refer to particular aspects of human consciousness that Thomas Campbell explores.
#4 - Which of the following would the author most likely agree with?
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10 points
A - Kids should eat moderate amounts of sugar.
B - All people should give up sugar.
C - Sugar is evil and should be banned in all countries.
D - People need to be made aware of the real side effects of sugar.
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10 points
A - Kids should eat moderate amounts of sugar.
B - All people should give up sugar.
C - Sugar is evil and should be banned in all countries.
D - People need to be made aware of the real side effects of sugar.
D - People need to be made aware of the real side effects of sugar.
The author of the excerpt most likely agrees with the statement that people need to be made aware of the real side effects of sugar. The information presented in the excerpt highlights the negative impact of sugar on behavior, perception, and overall well-being, suggesting that awareness of these effects is important for making informed choices about sugar consumption.
The author of the excerpt most likely agrees with the statement that people need to be made aware of the real side effects of sugar. The information presented in the excerpt highlights the negative impact of sugar on behavior, perception, and overall well-being, suggesting that awareness of these effects is important for making informed choices about sugar consumption.
#5 - Read the question...Many would argue that they eat sugar all the time and they are fine, but how many of them have experienced what they are like without sugar? ...The main purpose of this question is to -
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10 points
A - cause the reader to second guess what they’ve always believed
B - force the reader to change how they previously felt about eating sugar
C - develop a strong negative reaction from the reader
D - trigger a pleasant childhood memory and pull the reader to their side
*
10 points
A - cause the reader to second guess what they’ve always believed
B - force the reader to change how they previously felt about eating sugar
C - develop a strong negative reaction from the reader
D - trigger a pleasant childhood memory and pull the reader to their side
A - cause the reader to second guess what they’ve always believed
The purpose of this question is to make the reader think about their own sugar consumption habits and consider the impact of sugar on their own behavior and well-being. It encourages readers to reflect on their experiences without sugar and question their beliefs about the effects of sugar on their bodies and minds.
The purpose of this question is to make the reader think about their own sugar consumption habits and consider the impact of sugar on their own behavior and well-being. It encourages readers to reflect on their experiences without sugar and question their beliefs about the effects of sugar on their bodies and minds.