Latest news with #refinedsugar
Vogue
24-06-2025
- Health
- Vogue
5 Things That Happened After I Quit Sugar
My sweet tooth began in elementary school. I'll never forget my first obsession: large chocolate candies stuffed with macadamia nuts. I would devour a box of them every day. By the time I was old enough to care about portions, the amount of sweets I consumed had decreased—but the habit of reaching for sugary treats as a 'reward' or a 'stress reliever' had certainly not. On really bad days, I'd fantasize about squirting whipped cream directly into my mouth. By the time I got to my thirties, I wasn't in great health. In fact, the days when I felt less-than-vibrant had become the norm; I was constantly plagued with heavy fatigue and emotional ups and downs. My moods were out of control. I felt sluggish, irritable, and dull. Something needed to change. Around the same time, I started to study molecular nutrition. When I learned about the negative effects of white sugar and other refined carbohydrates, I was floored. I began slowly eliminating them from my diet. It was difficult at first, but as I began to cut back little by little, my health gradually changed as well. But what exactly does refined sugar do to the body and why is it so hard to quit? Here's what I learned while studying molecular nutrition, and what happened when I finally cut the sweet stuff out for good. Refined sugar and blood glucose levels Here's the thing: Most of the fiber, minerals, and vitamins have been removed from white sugar. Because of this, there is almost nothing to inhibit its speed of absorption and, thus, the body's blood sugar level spikes immediately. This rapid fluctuation in blood glucose levels is the main problem. When blood sugar levels suddenly rise, the body tries to process it by secreting large amounts of insulin; this causes a sudden drop in blood glucose in turn. This up-and-down triggers a variety of issues. For example, a sudden drop in blood glucose leads the body to become stressed. Even when there is enough energy from other foods, the body shifts into energy-saving mode by suppressing functions other than those necessary to sustain life, such as respiration and circulation. It's like a smartphone with 10% of its battery power remaining. Extreme sleepiness, lethargy, and poor concentration follow.
Malay Mail
20-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
No reason for price hike as refined sugar remains exempt from SST, Finance Ministry tells MSM
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Refined sugar (or commonly known as white sugar) remains tax-free under the revised Sales and Service Tax (SST) that will take effect on July 1, 2025, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The MOF said in a statement today that raw sugar used in the production of refined sugar would be subject to a five per cent sales tax. 'However, as previously announced, manufacturers such as MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd are eligible to apply for tax exemption on their raw materials and inputs. 'Hence, there is no reason for any increase in the price of refined sugar — especially since sugar refiners like MSM continue to receive monthly incentives from the government to ensure supply and price stability,' the MOF said. The MOF said this to clarify a statement issued by MSM regarding the impact of the sales tax revision on raw sugar. The ministry said the Madani Government has taken a targeted approach by not imposing taxes on essential goods such as sugar, salt, chicken, eggs, meat, fish, vegetables, cooking oil and rice. 'This is to ensure that the majority of the people will not be affected by the SST revision,' it said. The MOF said sugar refiners and manufacturers in Malaysia can apply to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department for tax exemptions as provided for under Item 1, Column (2), Schedule B of the Sales Tax (Persons Exempt from Payment of Tax) Order. Yesterday, it was reported that national refined sugar producer MSM is reviewing the five per cent extension of SST involving raw sugar and is seeking further clarification from the government to monitor the impact on the prices of regulated goods. According to the MSM group chief executive officer, the retail price of sugar in Malaysia has been capped at RM2.85 per kilogramme since 2011, despite the global raw sugar price increasing in recent years. He said that if the tax was imposed on raw sugar, the country's refined sugar producers could pass on the cost to the industry. 'However, we cannot do that for sugar because it is under price control,' he said, adding that 75 to 80 per cent of MSM's production costs come from raw sugar. — Bernama
Malay Mail
20-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Finance Ministry: No reason for sugar price hike as refined sugar remains exempt from SST
KUALA LUMPUR, June 20 — Refined sugar (or commonly known as white sugar) remains tax-free under the revised Sales and Service Tax (SST) that will take effect on July 1, 2025, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF). The MOF said in a statement today that raw sugar used in the production of refined sugar would be subject to a five per cent sales tax. 'However, as previously announced, manufacturers such as MSM Malaysia Holdings Bhd are eligible to apply for tax exemption on their raw materials and inputs. 'Hence, there is no reason for any increase in the price of refined sugar — especially since sugar refiners like MSM continue to receive monthly incentives from the government to ensure supply and price stability,' the MOF said. The MOF said this to clarify a statement issued by MSM regarding the impact of the sales tax revision on raw sugar. The ministry said the Madani Government has taken a targeted approach by not imposing taxes on essential goods such as sugar, salt, chicken, eggs, meat, fish, vegetables, cooking oil and rice. 'This is to ensure that the majority of the people will not be affected by the SST revision,' it said. The MOF said sugar refiners and manufacturers in Malaysia can apply to the Royal Malaysian Customs Department for tax exemptions as provided for under Item 1, Column (2), Schedule B of the Sales Tax (Persons Exempt from Payment of Tax) Order. Yesterday, it was reported that national refined sugar producer MSM is reviewing the five per cent extension of SST involving raw sugar and is seeking further clarification from the government to monitor the impact on the prices of regulated goods. According to the MSM group chief executive officer, the retail price of sugar in Malaysia has been capped at RM2.85 per kilogramme since 2011, despite the global raw sugar price increasing in recent years. He said that if the tax was imposed on raw sugar, the country's refined sugar producers could pass on the cost to the industry. 'However, we cannot do that for sugar because it is under price control,' he said, adding that 75 to 80 per cent of MSM's production costs come from raw sugar. — Bernama
