Medical Questions » Cholesterol Questions » Question No. 207
| Question: | Are dairy products and sugar safe to eat? I keep hearing how cholesterol and sweets are bad for you. |
| Answer: | Dairy products are a staple food in the diet of nearly every civilisation around the world. The intake varies from one place to another. The Japanese have virtually none, Europeans quite a lot, and some Arab tribes live almost entirely on dairy products. They are an excellent source of carbohydrates, protein and fat, and the sugar lactose.
People can live virtually on milk alone if necessary. Some specialised dairy products, such as yoghurt and junket, are excellent aids to digestion and bowel function. Cheeses are compressed energy, and are included in survival rations.
As with all foods, too much can be harmful. Those who have a high cholesterol level in their bloodstream and the more obese members of the community should not eat whole milk products, but skim milk and fat-reduced dairy products can still be consumed. Milk with added calcium (' Shape' ) is now available to help prevent osteoporosis in middle-aged women.
Sugar is also an essential part of your diet, and it is found to some extent in nearly all fruit and vegetables. It acts as a natural preservative for a wide range of foods, and glucose (a form of sugar) is essential for the normal functioning of the brain. Once again, moderation is appropriate, and sugar intake should be minimised in the overweight and care should be taken not to take excess sugar in a concentrated form (sweets, soft-drinks etc.) that will cause dental caries.
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