Unscientific Sugar Myths Bedevil Parents on Halloween: Haunt the World Wide Web to Get the Facts about Sugar and Health

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 1998-- Children delight in the make-believe of Halloween. Unfortunately the season also reawakens ghouls who spoil the fun by frightening parents with misleading sugar myths laid to rest by science. In fact, the federal government and other policy groups have thoroughly investigated the health and nutrition aspects of sugar and concluded that it can be safely consumed in moderation by healthy people.

Position statements from leading health organizations such as the American Dietetic Association and the American Diabetes Association acknowledge the appropriate role of sugar and carbohydrate sweeteners in the diet.

The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans advise people to "Choose a Diet Moderate in Sugars."

A recent report issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that nutrient needs are best met by eating a wide range of nutrient dense, carbohydrate rich foods. The report's authors emphasized that the overall diet is more important than any single food, such as sugar.

Richard Keelor, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of The Sugar Association, observed that "Every year around Halloween, some opportunistic group unnecessarily alarms parents and takes the fun out of the event. Targeting selective food groups as bad and trying to scare the public with phony food dictums run contrary to basic science and distract everyone from more significant health issues."

Keelor, a nationally recognized expert in physical fitness and health promotion, added, "We challenge all Americans to join forces to get quality physical education programs back into our schools. The Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity clearly documents that the chronic disease conditions that plague most Americans, including obesity, heart disease, and some cancers, can be reduced with regular, appropriate exercise. It might not do much for the interests of the food activists, but it would be great for the country and the health of our citizens. And we don't need to raise taxes to do it. What we need is to set aside self-serving interests to generate cooperation and commitment from both the public and private sectors working together for the health of kids."

The scientific facts about sugar clearly counter the scary messages from pseudo-scientists and food faddists. Consider the following:

• Sugar (sucrose) is a pure, natural carbohydrate, an important nutrient that supplies energy.
• The body's utilization of sugar and other carbohydrates is a natural, well-regulated process.
• The sugar in your sugar bowl is the same substance found naturally in sugar cane, sugar beets, apples, oranges, carrots, and every other fruit and vegetable we eat.
• At 15 calories per teaspoon, sugar is not uniquely fattening. In fact, a study conducted at Duke University found that dieters could lose weight on a high-sugar, low-fat diet as easily as they could on a diet low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates.
• Glucose-which is one-half of the sucrose molecule-is essential for proper brain and nervous system functioning. All carbohydrate foods become glucose, fuel for the body.

For more good news about sugar and a healthy diet, consider lurking around the following Web sites:

• The American Dietetic Association (ADA) offers a list of low fat treats for Halloween handouts and debunks unscientific myths about sugar and health. Log on to www.eatright.org/feature/100198.html.
• For more in-depth information, consult the ADA's position statement on "Use of nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners." It can be found at www.eatright.org/adap0598.html.
• On Health advises "Hold On to Your Oreos, Sugar's Not that Bad" in its 1998 report. Check out www.onhealth.com/ch1/in-depth/item/0,1007,25661,00.htm.
• The International Food Information Council (IFIC) discusses two outdated "sugar phobias" -- hyperactivity and oral health -- at its Web site under the title "Sweetening Up the Holidays" at IFICINFO.HEALTH.ORG/insight/swtholid.htm.
• Also available from IFIC is a brochure: "What You Should Know about Sugars." Access IFICINFO.HEALTH.ORG/brochure/sugar.htm.
• Finally, The Sugar Association sweetens the World Wide Web with its array of information on sugar, nutrition and health. Log on to www.sugar.org.

The Sugar Association's mission is to provide sound scientific information to consumers and health communicators about the contributions sugar makes to our food supply and to a healthful lifestyle.

CONTACT: Moira Saucer of the Sugar Association, 202-785-1122, ext. 19