The first processed sugar was recorded in England in 1099. The subsequent centuries saw a major expansion of western European trade with the East, including the importation of sugar.
Sugar beet was first identified as a source of sugar in 1747. As this threatened the sugar can industry during Napoleonic wars at the start of the 19th century, Britain blockaded sugar imports to continental Europe. By 1880 sugar beet had replaced sugar cane as the main source of sugar on continental Europe. High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) was invented in 1960 by a Japanese researched and reached the American market by 1975. The impact of refined sugar on human health had started in 17th century as sugar became vastly popular. The consumption of sugar has been continuously increasing for decades. The average person consumed approximately 112 grams each day, (90 pounds of sugar each year) around 1900. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that the average American consumes between 150 to 170 pounds of refined sugars in one year. That translates to 30-60 teaspoons of sugar in a 24 hour …show more content…
Sugar industries have had remarkable access to power from the beginning. Sugar is considered as the Oil of 18th century which led countries to pick allies and declare wars. Today in North America sugar industries are still known to influence the politicians. In 2004 the industries funded democrats and republicans 3.1 million in campaign dollars in return of billion dollar worth subsidies for the sugar industry. Republican, Dan Miller proposed a bill to cut the 1.4 billion dollar tax subsidies to the sugar industries with his co-sponsors. The bill was not a success as 5 of his co-sponsors mysteriously voted against the bill on the voting