Sugar – Life’s Building Block

There is a constant barrage in popular media against sugar being harmful to the human body. The truth is that while excessive sugar consumption can lead to a number of health problem like diabetes and obesity, without sugar there would be no life at all. Sugar is not the villain that it is made out to be. In fact certain scientific research projects think of sugars as major potential blockbuster heroes.

Sugars are studies under the discipline of glycomics. This area of study deals with sugars in the form of carbohydrate chains called glycans. Sugar molecules along with cellulose and starch are a major part of green plants around us. Simply put without the presence of sugar molecules it would not be possible to have such abundant greenery around us.

Researchers have also come up with new innovative means to use sugar molecules. One science project is looking at splitting cellulose into lactic acid to form chains of polylactic acid which is essentially a biodegradable plastic. So sugar based plastic bags could be the next big thing.

Some scientists are also looking forward to diagnosing skin cancer with the help of sugar based complex. So the next time you look at a candy bar remember its not a bad thing, it could be the basis of the next big science experiment revolution.