The Pros and Cons of Our "Natural Sweet Tooth"

Even though we have many unique human traits, we are genetically closely related to the great apes and other primates. Primates are the only animals on the face of the earth that can taste sweet and see color. We were designed by nature to see, grasp, eat, and enjoy the flavor of colorful, sweet fruits.

Fruit is an essential part of our diets. It is an indispensable re­ quirement for us to maintain a high level of health. Fruit consump­ tion  has  been  shown  in  numerous  studies  to  offer our  strongest protection  against  certain  cancers,  especially oral and  esophageal,
lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancer.1 Thankfully, our natural sweet
tooth directs us to those foods ideally "designed" for our primate her­ itage — fruit. Fresh fruit offers us powerful health-giving benefits.
    Researchers have discovered substances in fruit that have unique
effects on preventing aging and deterioration  of the brain Some fruits, especially blueberries, are rich in anthocyanins and other com­ pounds having anti-aging effects. Studies continue to provide evi­ dence that more than any other food, fruit consumption is associated with lowered mortality from all cancers combined. Eating fruit is vi­ tal to your health, well-being, and long life.
Regrettably, our human desire for sweets is typically satisfied by the consumption of products containing sugar, such as candy bars and ice cream — not fresh fruit. The U.S. Food and Drug Adminis­ tration estimates that the typical American now consumes an unbe­ lievable 32 teaspoons of added sugar a day. That's right, in one day.
As we shall see, we need to satisfy our sweet tooth with fresh, natural fruits and other plant substances that supply us not just with carbohydrates for energy but also with the full complement of indis­ pensable substances that prevent illness.

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