The liver breaks down the sugars we eat while a hormone, insulin, allows the cells to absorb the glucose and use it for energy. What isn't needed for immediate energy is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, or is converted to fat and stored, usually in places we wish weren't there. Sugar has been blamed for almost every health problem, from obesity to hyperactivity. While sugar may not be the culprit as claimed, there is some evidence that it may be responsible, at least in part, for some health problems. Sugar is not nearly as much of a problem for many people as eating too much fat.
People gain weight when they consume more calories than they burn.
Cookies, cakes and many sweets are also often high sources of fats, and what is called a sweet tooth may really be a craving for fats. No direct link has been found between heart disease and sugar consumption. While people who have diabetes should be careful about the amount and type of sugar they eat, there is no evidence that sugar causes this disease. The most probable risk factor for non-insulin dependent diabetes is obesity. For people eating a well-balanced diet and getting regular aerobic exercise, moderate sugar consumption is not usually a problem.