“Obesity is not the cause; rather, it is a marker.” That’s why it’s time that the government steps in and regulates sugar in ways similar to tobacco and alcohol, the authors wrote. That includes taxes, age restrictions and other policies to control the distribution of sugar.

Government Should Not Regulate Sugar Like Alcohol Or Tobacco to Curb Obesity. The science behind the proposed restrictions on sugar is sound. The substance can indeed kill you if consumed in great enough amounts, and it may even be addictive.

A spoonful of sugar might make the medicine go down. But it also makes blood pressure and cholesterol go up, along with your risk for liver failure, obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Among their suggestions: impose a sugar tax, limit sales during school hours, don’t allow children to buy sugary drinks, remove soft drinks from the food stamp program, and cut fructose from the FDA’s Generally Regarded as Safe list of ingredients that can be added in unlimited amounts to foods.

Writing in the journal Nature, UCSF pediatrician Robert Lustig and colleagues suggest regulating sugar just like alcohol and tobacco—with taxes and age limits, for example—due to what they call the “toxic” effects of too much sweet stuff.

“The effects of added sugar intake — higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, and fatty liver disease — are all linked to an increased risk for heart attack and stroke,” says Dr. Hu.

“You may experience exhaustion, headaches, brain fog and irritability. Some people even have gastrointestinal distress.” Translation: it’s a process.

Other Things That May Work

1. Drink a glass of water. Some people say that dehydration can cause cravings.
2. Eat a fruit. Having a piece of fruit may help satisfy sugar cravings for some people.
3. Avoid artificial sweeteners.
4. Eat more protein.
5. Talk to a friend.
6. Sleep well.
7. Avoid excess stress.
8. Avoid certain triggers.

The short answer is no, and in fact, peanuts and some peanut products like peanut butter have been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Inflammation in the body is a mechanism thought to be at the center of the majority of chronic diseases.

The antioxidants in lemons are also powerful anti-inflammatory agents. They can help to reduce swelling (even minor internal swelling), thereby enabling your body to repair any damaged tissue.

Anti-inflammatory foods

• tomatoes.
• olive oil.
• green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards.
• nuts like almonds and walnuts.
• fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines.
• fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.

Whoever first said “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” was onto something. Research suggests that eating some apple on a daily basis might lower levels of cholesterol as well as C-reactive protein (CRP), a key marker of inflammation in the blood.

Cucumbers contain several antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene and manganese, as well as flavonoids, triterpenes and lignans that have anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Celery reduces inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to many illnesses, including arthritis and osteoporosis. Celery and celery seeds have approximately 25 anti-inflammatory compounds that can offer protection against inflammation in the body.

Carrots Pack Anti-Arthritis Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene These and other orange-hued vegetables are rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, both of which are believed to fight inflammation. Cooking seems to increase the availability of these compounds.

Cucumber is relatively high in vitamin K. Eating too much cucumber could affect how a person’s blood clots.