SUGAR SHOCK! Blog

High Fructose Consumption Linked to High Blood Pressure

The evidence keeps pouring in pointing to the dangers of fructose, which are found in soft drinks and most processed foods, from breads to cookies to crackers.

The latest study, which finds that people who consume the amount of fructose found in two-and-a-half soft drinks a day appear to have a higher risk of hypertension, appears in the current issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology

People who took in at least 74 grams (about 18.5 tsp.) per day had 26% to 77% greater odds of crossing various thresholds of elevated blood pressure (P<0.05 for all), compared with lower levels of consumption, according to Diana Jalal, MD, of the University of Colorado Denver, and colleagues.

"Limiting fructose intake is readily feasible, and, in light of our results, prospective studies are needed to assess whether decreased intake of fructose from added sugars will reduce the incidence of hypertension and the burden of cardiovascular disease in the U.S. adult population," they wrote online in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

One of the best ways to improve your health is to reduce your consumption of high fructose corn syrup -- and that means, just nix the soft drinks. There is no human requirement for soda!

Over this holiday weekend, I encourage you to drink water rather than soda. You can pay a price for gulping all that fructose-laden sweetness.

To get a flavor for how soft drinks can pack on the pounds -- one that will make your stomach turn -- watch this "Pouring on the Pounds" ad from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

SUGAR SHOCK! Fan Writes

Thankfully, I often hear from fans of my book SUGAR SHOCK!

But yesterday, I was honored and grateful for this amazing remark from Ellen, one of my Smart Habits Fans on Facebook. She wrote:

"Thank you you dearly for a truly transformational motivational piece of work in your book.I have recommended your book to perhaps 50 plus friends and acquaintances. I now keep them on hand to share with others who are sincerely interested and those who care to change. Putting my the knowledge to use caused my body to... morph inside and out. I will send shocking photos of myself before and after. Thanks Bunches."

All I can say is Wow!

Suffice it to say that this comment made my day! I invite you to get a sneak peek of SUGAR SHOCK! now.

SUGAR SHOCK! Defined

Since gingerbread cookies, eggnog, candy canes and chocolate geld (coins) abound at this time of year and you'll undoubtedly often be offered those and other tempting sweets this month, I invite you to start a process of self-discovery.

That's right, in my opinion, December is not the month to kick your sugar habit (unless you insist!)

Instead, I encourage you to learn what shock is and then do what I call "sugary soul searching" so you can learn if this applies to you.

Ask yourself such questions as:

When do sugary "treats" call out to you? Why do you cave into your candy cravings? How do you feel after eating sweets?

Then, just pay attention to how you behave all month. (Next month, we'll delve into the value of doing sugary soul searching and how it can help you to break free of your harmful habit.)

Now, let's revisit the definition of SUGAR SHOCK! -- which I gave here on this blog, in October 2006.

The idea to do this hit me, because my new Facebook friend Terri asked me, "What do you mean by Sugar Shock Connie?? I love how it sounds!!"

So here's my definition of sugar shock, which is also included in my book of the same name. (You can get a sneak peek of my book SUGAR SHOCK! here.)

Please bear in mind that sugar shock is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including some one-quarter to one-half of the U.S. population.

SUGAR SHOCK!™ defined - A mood-damaging, personality-bending, health-destroying, confusion-creating constellation of symptoms affecting millions of peoople worldwide, who often turn to processed sweets and much-like-sugar carbs, which send their blood sugar levels wildly soaring and plummeting.

The term SUGAR SHOCK! is intended to encompass the often-misdiagnosed and maligned condition of reactive hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), as well as other blood sugar disorders, from insulin resistance to diabetes.

Considerable research reveals that repeatedly overconsuming sweeteners, dessert foods, and culprit, quickie carbs (such as white rice, French bread, chips, etc.) wreaks havoc on your blood sugar levels, overstimulates insulin release, triggers inflammation, and could contribute to more than 150 health problems, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, severe PMS, failing memory, depression, mental confusion or "brain fog," mood swings, Candida, sexual dysfunction, infertility, wrinkles, acne, and early aging.

Victims of SUGAR SHOCK! also may experience such baffling symptoms as excessive fatigue,  headaches, dizziness, cold sweats, anxiety, irritability, tremors, crying spells, drowsiness or the opposite (sleeplessness), forgetfulness, heart palpitations, nightmares, blurred vision, muscle pains, temper outbursts, suicidal thoughts, and more.

Ultimately, this insidious SUGAR SHOCK! roller-coaster effect brought on by eating too many inferior carbs hampers sufferers' ability to function at full throttle--or even half throttle.

Does this sound like something you or a loved one is going through? Would you like to learn more about sugar shock?

Grab a sneak peek now of my book SUGAR SHOCK! now.

Or just get your copy of SUGAR SHOCK! now to read during or after the holidays. This book is ideal to read in January so you can break free of your habit to lose weight, get energy, focus better, become happier and, of course, healthier.

Reader Admits That Her Sugar Addiction Story is Embarrassing, Too: What Do You Think?

Frequently, I hear from readers of SUGAR SHOCK!  In fact, of the hundreds of emails I receive daily, those from readers are the most heartwarming.

Here are some comments that came in yesterday in response to my email, in which I invited people to take a sneak peek of my book, get my shocking definition of sugar shock; learn my rather embarrassing story and how I used to act quite undignified when consuming sugar; and discover startling information about how millions are harmed by their excessive sugar consumption.

Kim [I changed her name to protect her privacy] from Michigan wrote:

"Embarrassing [sugar] story? It's exactly like my own life! Talk about humiliation. I've spent years in hiding, afraid that someone would find out. Yesterday, I received my copy of 'Sugar Shock' in the mail and I promise to do those things that freed you from a life of shame. My husband will reap all the benefits of having a much happier wife. We have been right at the door of divorce for almost 19 yrs. [He] has tried everything to get rid of this dark cloud of depression! Thank you, Connie for being our answer to prayer. Sincerely, [name], a trampled housewife, in Michigan"

Don't those remarks just bring tears to your eyes -- or at least choke you up?

If you're a reader of SUGAR SHOCK!, please write to me. Just post here to share your thoughts about the book, no matter what they are.

Talk to us now.

(You can read more thoughts from readers here.)

Would you like help to break free of your sugar habit so you can lose weight, get more energy, enjoy better relationships and become happier? Learn how to break free now. (Next program begins tomorrow.)

SUGAR SHOCK! -- An Inspiring Reader Contacts Me

I always love hearing from readers of my book SUGAR SHOCK! and listeners to my Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Radio Show on BlogTalkRadio.

But I especially appreciated this e-mail, which arrived on the second day that I've been forced to lay low because of huge stomach distress caused by a vicious case of food poisoning. (Never been this sick!)

...So, see what a reader of SUGAR SHOCK! just wrote to me:

"I want to thank you for your book [SUGAR SHOCK!]. It really opened my eyes as to hidden sugars in [foods]. I am just starting to get off sugar... [but] I've lost 25 pounds [so far] and have 25 more to go.  Sugar is my hardest habit to kick after a life-long habit of eating sugar-laden foods.

-- Mary Lee, Alabama"

Way to go, Marylee! So happy for you! Very impressive -- 25 pounds! Keep up the good work.

SUGAR SHOCK! -- Thoughts From a Reader

I just love hearing from readers of my book SUGAR SHOCK! Here are some remarks from Paula in Minnesota.

"I just got your book yesterday and couldn't stop reading it. I know I am a complete sugar junkie. Although I have no issues living without white bread, I can not let go of the candy, cookies, cakes, etc.

"My husband compared me to a drug addict (like my brother). I have one piece and then before I know, the whole bag is gone.

"I have been working on self-help and healing my heart and one of my journaling [exercises] is to look into your soul...

"I realized even as a child, I would steal change from my parents & siblings to buy candy. I remember eating out with my grandparents and opening the sugar packets and dumping them in my mouth. How horrible is that?! I can truely relate to it being an addiction and I am happy I found your book and research."

Thank you so much for writing, Paula. I sure hope my book helps you!

Readers, keep writing!

Sugar Shock! -- A Success Story

Given my hectic schedule, I rarely take time out to share some of the hundreds of comments that I regularly receive, but I just had to share one that came in recently from Rowena. She wrote:

"I've lost 30 lbs since August just by cutting sugar -- the detox is wicked but after trying to quit for three years, I finally `got It.' I do use the fake stuff occasionally, but that's going, too, this summer. I mention this to you for people who are very large like me, it's not so easy for us to quit, but the sugar is the Gasoline to the food insanity and once you get out -- you gotta stay out."

Rowena, congratulations to you for your wonderful changes. I'm so happy for you!

SUGAR SHOCK! Fan Makes My Day

My day was just made by this post on the Life Without Donuts blog from a former donut junkie. What an honor and thrill to know that SUGAR SHOCK! ! is helping people in this manner.

Here's what the now-sugar-free blogger wrote:

"Everybody and their grandma has a "What I'm Reading" list on their blog, so I decided I might as well jump in on the trend. Seriously, I've read some really good books this year, books that have made a profound impact on my life. So I wanted to share the short list with you for right now. I plan to review some of these books, here on Life Without Donuts, in more detail as time permits.

"Sugar Shock by Connie Bennett, was the book that kick started my new journey to a lifetime of healthy weight control, in July of this year. I knew I was eating way too much sugar, but I had no idea how detrimental this stuff was to my health. But the biggie is that sugar had become an addictive substance to me and I knew I had to get free from it. Connie Bennett compiles the latest and greatest research on the evils of sugar, but does it in a way that makes you want to keep reading. I don't understand exactly what happened when I read this book, I just know I wanted to 'kick' the sugar habit...and I did.

"Three and half months later I've not eaten a bite of sugar and the good news is that the cravings are gone. You don't know how powerful cravings are until you try to kick them and then until you realize how peaceful life can be without them. I now realize that it wasn't all my fault that I was eating dozen after dozen of donuts, it was the foods fault. That's not a cop-out, it's the truth...the truth you hardly ever hear about.

"Sugar Shock needs to be in your library if you are serious about healthy weight loss and control for a lifetime. I plan to reread this book as time permits."

Although I'm a writer, I'm at a loss for words except to say, "Thank you, former donut junkie for your flattering remarks. I'm so happy for you! And if you'd like to tell us here how life has changed for you since kicking donuts, I'd love to post it."

SUGAR SHOCK! Fan and Her 9-Year-Old Former Sugar-Addict Daughter Find Me at Whole Foods While I'm Out Having Fun

Usually, I don't post anything here personal on this SUGAR SHOCK! blog. Inevitably, there's a connection to my book SUGAR SHOCK! In fact, many readers, I suspect, aren't even aware of the fact that I'm a single, available chick living in Manhattan and that I have ample time to play these days now that my book is published.

But today, after much blog-soul-searching, I'm going to break new ground and get personal, because my two worlds collided recently in the most unexpected way imaginable. (Perhaps I got motivated by advice from popular blogger Melissa Lafsky, who I interviewed this afternoon on my Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Radio Show, which you can listen to now.)

...So, having said that, I invite you to go back with me in time about a week and a half ago to one of the Whole Foods locations in New York City, where I was going through first-get-together rites with a good-looking, interesting, charming man. (Let's call him "Dignified.")

Dear readers, I invite you to imagine now the following scenario: So there we were, my brand new acquaintance and I, sitting at a counter at Whole Foods.

Picture us: I'm eagerly relishing my scrumptious salad while Dignified chomps an organic Fuji apple and pulls out his just-purchased copy of SUGAR SHOCK! (Honest, it wasn't my idea to buy the book at the Border's upstairs!)

As my companion and I went through getting-to-know-you questions ("Where are you from originally? What are your favorite sports?," etc.), along comes a slim, attractive blonde.

She stops dead in her tracks when she spies SUGAR SHOCK!

She then looks directly at Dignified and asks him point blank, "Have you read that book? That's a great book. I've given it to a number of friends."

Needless to say, my jaw dropped! A slim, pretty woman, who read SUGAR SHOCK! pops by out of the blue to talk to a new friend and me about my book?

SUGAR SHOCK! Gets Thumbs Up On Mark Sisson's Daily Apple Blog

I just received a hearwarming e-mail from health-and-fitness expert Mark Sisson, alerting me to the fact that his review of SUGAR SHOCK! just went up on his blog, Daily Apple.

Like millions of sugar addicts out there, Mark has his own sugar-induced horror stories, too.

In fact, he's a former professional tri-athlete, and while training, he used to down half a gallon of ice cream every day.

But he's learned the error of his ways, and Mark now recommends -- as I do -- that people eat a simple diet of low-sugar, unprocessed food, including lean protein, essential fats and, as he puts it, "reckless amounts of vegetables."

Like me, Mark is a regular contributor to Low Carb Newsline. It's good to have yet another smart expert help spread the word about how harmful sugar can be to your health and well-being.

Thanks to the Living Lean for Life Blog for the Kind Words About SUGAR SHOCK!

Thanks to Cheryl and Living Lean for Life for her very kind words about my book SUGAR SHOCK! What a wonderful surprise to find this glowing recommendation for my book!

Evidently, Cheryl heard about my book from blogger Jimmy Moore, the low-carb lifestyle proponent, who's been quite supportive of me, even after my recent appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning.

Wasn't that sweet of Jimmy to send Cheryl a copy of my book without my even being aware of this? How cool!

So, thanks both Cheryl and Jimmy! Feel free to continue to spread the word about SUGAR SHOCK! LOL!

See the Nice Review of SUGAR SHOCK! at The Electric Review

What a pleasant greeting to my morning before I dash off again to BookExpo America. See this very flattering review of SUGAR SHOCK! at The Electric Review (www.electricrev.net from John Aiello.

Hope this positive review of Dr. Stephen Sinatra's and my book gets many more people to get SUGAR SHOCK! so they can benefit from it -- i.e., enhance the quality of their lives. Yes, getting a handle on your sugar habit can so totally and dramatically transform your life for the better! That's why I invite people to Take the Sugar Shock Challenge!

Sugar Addict Reclaims Her Power & Won't Take Orders From A Cookie Any More, Thanks to SUGAR SHOCK!

Are you one of many sugar-addicted readers out there who let a cookie call the shots? Do you let that cheesecake lure you in and abandon your very best intentions.

Take heart. You can win over your temptations.

I received another wonderful e-mail from an encouraged reader of SUGAR SHOCK! after she received my weekly Stop SUGAR SH OCK! e-zine in which I offered 4 Sure-Fire Tactics to Squash Sugar Temptation Now. (I posted a different version of the piece here earlier, too.) The reader, Lisa from Colorado, wrote:

"Hi Connie,
"I recently bought your book and have found it so helpful!  This post today is great, as I'm still finding it challenging at times to `kick' the sugar habit.  One thing from your book really helped me, though was that line [in one chapter from a Sugar Kicker, who said, `You've come too far to take orders from a cookie!'  I now say that to myself (in the first person) when I want to eat something sugary. Talk about reclaiming my power!  It helps me realize that I, not the cookie/chocolate/ice cream hold the power. It also makes me laugh and lighten up about it all instead of giving in to the `This-is-sooooooo-hard/poor me mindset.'

"Thank you so much for that great tip!

"Lisa, Boulder, CO"

Isn't that just the most delightful e-mail! Congrats, Lisa, for not letting a cookie give you orders!

Hear Me Speak Sunday, May 6 in New York City

If you live near New York City, I invite you to come hear me speak from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. 

The program -- which costs a mere $5 -- is presented by the Human Ecology Action League also known as New York City HEAL), will take place at 343 Eighth Ave. (on West 27th, to the right of a major fast-food company).

In my talk, I'll give you the lowdown on America's sweetheart -- sugar.

I plan to give an often-humorous and interactive talk, in which I'll reveal the many emotional and physical dangers of over-consuming sweets and refined carbs, which most Americans do.

You’ll get to:

• Take the fun SUGAR SHOCK! Quiz and do “Sugary Soul Searching.”
• Learn some shocking sugar stats.
• Get help to Clear the Carb Confusion.
• Find out how Sweets Can Sour Your Moods.
• Learn 3 food label misconceptions and 3 secrets to squash your sugar habit.
• Get free gifts (to 20 people) and have a chance to win a raffle prize (2 offered) to my upcoming 21-Day, Stop SUGAR SHOCK! Countdown Diet™ Teleseminar Series.

After my talk, you can listen to hear Carla Shohet and Eve Rostkowski from the Art of Living Foundation speak from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. about 'Breath for Better Breath.'

If you decide to attend, please don't wear any fragrances or perfumes.

For more information, call (212) 517-5937.

Reader From Utah Raves

I just wanted to share some heartwarming remarks I received today from a reader, Kari in Utah. Here are her delightful remarks:

"Hi, I'm currently reading SUGAR SHOCK! My life is changed forever for the better -- because of its message -- because it helps me make sense of my life . . . past, present, and thankfully, yet to be! I want to share this message with others who so desparately need it . . .

"In addition to wondering about you speaking in this area . . . I'm wondering if I might have your permission to use your book in a support group for local people who are in SUGAR SHOCK! and who want to something about it."

Wow, comments like these just make me realize that my book is really helping people all over. What a wonderful, wonderful feeling this e-mail gave me!

Meet a Happy Reader of SUGAR SHOCK! from the Philippines

As I've said before, I absolutely love to hear from readers of SUGAR SHOCK!

I truly want to know if my book is helping you, educating you or inspiring you.

Anyhow, this message from Edna -- which arrived in my box at nearly 3 a.m. my time -- grabbed my attention with its subject heading: "How stopping sugar stopped my pains and mood swings."

I carefully read the e-mail from Edna, who lives in the Philippines. She wrote:

"I am a distance study student of Natural Health Institute [in] Canada. I became one because I [was] puzzled by all my bodily pains (joints, muscles, bones), my mood swings and my low energy -- ALWAYS by 4PM. I am 56 years old."

She then continues:

"After researching about sugar and finding out about your book, I eliminated sugary products and desserts from my diet. After only a month, I am a different person, [with] no aches, no pains, no mood swings, [and] no low energy.. and [I'm now] a happy and proud owner of your Sugar Shock book... Thank you Connie. Bless your effort to reach out to people and tell them about [the dangers of] sugar..."

And thank you, Edna, for sharing. Your e-mail absolutely warms my heart! It's thrilling to learn that SUGAR SHOCK! helped you

Readers, please let me know what you think of SUGAR SHOCK!