The Sugar Illusion

Sugar - a substance that is hard to imagine our diet without and gives many foods their typical taste, but is also repeatedly at the center of health controversies. What was once considered a luxury is now an integral part of our eating culture, often hidden in products where we would hardly suspect it. But what is actually behind the illustrious career of sugar, which so often ends up on our plates today? Why has sugar been portrayed as harmless or even necessary for decades, even though more and more evidence points to its health risks? A look at the history of the 1960s and the marketing strategies of the sugar industry shows that sugar has long been absolved of its responsibility for health risks - often through targeted influence, concealed research results and clever marketing. Today, high sugar consumption is increasingly viewed critically. But how did its carefree popularity come about in the first place, and what role did science, politics and advertising play in this success story? This article examines the beginnings, strategies and current developments of the sugar industry and shows how sugar has developed from a harmless luxury item into one of the most controversial foods of our time.