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Sugars are the body’s major source of energy. Both sugars and carbohydrates provide the body with 4 calories of energy for each gram. Simple carbohydrates are digested very quickly. When a person consumes a food containing sugars, digestive enzymes either break down disaccharides into their simplest elements (glucose, galactose and fructose) or immediately absorb the sugars if they already are in the form of monosaccharides. Once inside the bloodstream, the single sugars (known as blood sugar, or glucose) move into the body’s cells and are converted to energy. Fiber is the only carbohydrate substance that does not follow this rule. Fiber is a polysaccharide and contains cellulose and hemicelluloses that are not digested by the body, and as a result do not contribute energy.

The body only uses as much glucose as is needed to carry out activity at any given time. The levels of glucose in the blood are regulated by insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas.  Excess levels of glucose are stored in the liver and muscles in the form of glycogen. If the body’s glucose levels drop, a hormone in the body called glucagon triggers the conversion of glycogen into glucose, which provides more energy for the cells.

When the body’s total capacity of glucose and glycogen is combined, it equals about 1,800 calories of energy. When carbohydrate intake produces more glucose than the body can use and store, the excess glucose is turned into body fat.

While sugars are essential for good health, they also can contribute to negative health impacts. Eating excessive levels of sugar results in ingesting too many calories, which in turn leads to weight gain. However, it is important to note that the calories obtained from sugar are no more likely to cause weight gain than calories from other sources, such as fats or proteins.

In addition, eating sugars and carbohydrates causes acids to form on the teeth, which can lead to tooth decay. This is true whether the source of the sugar is hard candy, milk, pasta or any other food that contains sugars. Generally, the factors that determine the risk of decay are how often a person eats foods with sugars and how long the food remains on the teeth.

Somewhat surprisingly, some foods that are considered relatively healthy (such as raisins or granola) may cause an even greater risk of tooth decay than sugary candies such as chocolate or hard candy. This is because chewy foods that stick to the teeth promote decay for longer periods of time than foods that are easily washed away by saliva or water.

Recent research has also found links to other negative health consequences associated with sugar consumption. For example, one recent study found that children who consume fewer sugary drinks during childhood may cut their risk of illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes later in life. Another study found a link between excessive consumption of sugary foods and drinks and increased incidence of pancreatic cancer.

Despite these findings, many trends indicate that people continue to consume increasing levels of sugar. For example, one study found children consume sodas and other sugary drinks more than any other beverages while at school.

However, many long-held beliefs about negative health effects attributed to sugars have been debunked in recent years. In the past, sugars have been blamed for causing behavioral problems and aggravating attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, there is no scientific evidence to support any link between the intake of sugars and hyperactivity or behavior problems. The cause of the behavior problems and ADHD is poorly understood.

For more than a quarter century, scientists have understood that sugar consumption does not cause diabetes. However, this myth still persists among many people. Diabetes results from the body’s inability to use insulin normally. While diet can have a major impact on the health of a person with diabetes, diet itself cannot cause the disease. Moderate amounts of sugar can be part of a well-balanced diet for people with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.