You’ve seen the ads. Suzie starts with a single lemonade stand and then rules the world because of Verizon’s superior technology. I must admit these ads touch at my heartstrings. Susie is blond, cute and just a kid. Who wouldn’t get behind a kid who merely wants to rule the world? There’s only one problem. Suzie might as well be selling crack cocaine.
Is that lemonade or is it something more dangerous?
Lemonade is a toxic mixture of lemon juice and sugar, both containing high levels of fructose. We now know that excessive fructose primarily from sugar and HFCS is the primary driver of insulin resistance and central obesity. When you have insulin resistance it takes more insulin to get glucose inside the cells in your body and glucose is the primary source of energy for most of the cells in your body—especially your brain.
The majority of adults and many children in this country now have insulin resistance from consuming processed foods loaded with sugar and HFCS. When someone with insulin resistance consumes high glycemic carbohydrates, especially from grains, their brain is subjected to magnified glucose spikes. Because glucose in high levels is toxic to nerve cells, over time these glucose spikes can trigger a condition called “sugar-brain”. People with sugar brain crave sweet and starchy foods. Because the brain plays a key role in auto-regulating fat stores, people with sugar-brain begin to store too much fat even as they diet and attempt to lose weight.
Although sugar-brain can be a significant health problem because it tends to feed our current obesity epidemic, over time it can transition to a serious medical condition called Carbohydrate Associated Reversible Brain syndrome or CARB syndrome. People with CARB syndrome can develop up to 22 brain dysfunction symptoms that interfere with their ability to function. They also continue to store excessive body fat. At this stage people are often incorrectly diagnosed with depression, ADHD, PTSD, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, bipolar II, OCD, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and similar disorders.
CARB syndrome is a serious disease that can also increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease, strokes, hypertension and many cancers. Are you still interested in swilling down Suzie’s tall glass of lemonade? I certainly don’t object to the fact that tech companies trying to make a buck. I don’t think it’s too much to ask that they don’t destroy the health of our country in the process.
and PS: What can Suzie sell? How about our favorite Lemon Water, which is simply a pitcher of ice water with fresh squeezed lemons and a bit of stevia to taste? It’s refreshing, it’s full of vitamin C, and it add sugar or the deadly to HFCS to Suzie or her customers.
lemon water made from ice water, lemons and a bit of stevia. yes!
lemonade stand