Addicted to Sugar - Brian Cox

[Vicsetter]

If you hadn't spotted it, on BBC 1 Scotland Brian Cox is presenting his investigation into sugar and his diabetes:

Revealing the rich and controversial past of sugar, alcohol, tobacco and opium, Hollywood actor Brian Cox embarks on a thought-provoking journey to uncover how the commercial exploitation of these products hooked the rest of the world on an appetite for a good time.

In this first episode, Brian wants to find out why (like millions of other Brits), he is a diabetic. Starting in Barbados, from which sugar cane fuelled a consumer revolution, Brian discovers how the British acquired a 'sweet tooth' and why today, this has led to epidemic levels of diabetes, obesity and even addiction to sugar

It will be on iPlayer if you are not in Scotland. Could be interesting.
Forgot to add it's on at 21:00 on Monday 26th.

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for the heads-up Vic, sounds interesting, and perhaps along the lines of 'The Men Who Made Us Fat'.

 

[Caroline]

anything that helps us understand hwo our bodies work and why we do things has to help us and everyone else...

 

[trophywench]

hee hee, I automatically read that as 'Prof' Brian Cox, then re-read it, 'Hang on ...'

Sounds v promising. Will have to look on i-Player thereafter.

 

[Vicsetter]

The add they are currently showing for it shows a retina scan where the eye is full of blood, so be warned.

 

[mcdonagh47]

I thought "sugar causes diabetes" was supposed to be one of the biggest myths ?

 

[Vicsetter]

I thought "sugar causes diabetes" was supposed to be one of the biggest myths ?

You'll have to watch the program before judging it. I was under the impression that excessive intake of sugar or high carb products can overload the pancreas and cause weight gain and eventually T2 diabetes.

 

[Vicsetter]

Well Brian Cox is convinced that sugar is the cause of diabetes despite one of his sisters not having it and some other inconsistencies. However it was a quite interesting program of the history of sugar.

 

[mcdonagh47]

The "doughnut theory" of diabetes as outlined by the Conservative MP in the other thread !

 

[lauraw1983]

Might have to try to iPlayer this....

 

[cherrypie]

The programme was only broadcast in Scotland.
It is on i-player.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01p4pdt/Addicted_to_Pleasure_Sugar/

 

[rachelha]

It was an interesting history of our addiction to sugar, but the statements regarding diabetes were pretty inaccurate, a very old-fashioned way of thinking of diabetes.

 

[LeeLee]

Just spotted this summary on the Beeb website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/0/20311399