• The Case Against Sugar

  • By: Gary Taubes
  • Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
  • Length: 11 hrs and 33 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (2,828 ratings)

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The Case Against Sugar  By  cover art

The Case Against Sugar

By: Gary Taubes
Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain
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Editorial reviews

Editors Select, December 2016 - In addition to my addiction to books, I am also addicted to sugar. Ask any of my fellow editors, and they'd be able to tell you what my favorite candy is (Snickers). I almost never pass on dessert (how else are you supposed to know that your meal is over?), and I consider chocolate a major food group. Clearly, I have a problem. Now, in the thick of the holiday season, I've decided it's time to exercise some control. Enter The Case Against Sugar. Narrated by Mike Chamberlain, who has had an impressive 2016 with over 25 audiobooks to his name, The Case Against Sugar was the wake-up call I needed. Author Gary Taubes (Why We Get Fat) combines science and history in consumable fashion (pun intended), making his important message easy to digest (pun, again, intended). Katie, Audible Editor

Publisher's summary

From the best-selling author of Why We Get Fat, a groundbreaking, eye-opening exposé that makes the convincing case that sugar is the tobacco of the new millennium: backed by powerful lobbies, entrenched in our lives, and making us very sick.

Among Americans, diabetes is more prevalent today than ever; obesity is at epidemic proportions; nearly 10 percent of children are thought to have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. And sugar is at the root of these, and other, critical society-wide, health-related problems. With his signature command of both science and straight talk, Gary Taubes delves into Americans' history with sugar: its uses as a preservative, as an additive in cigarettes, the contemporary overuse of high-fructose corn syrup. He explains what research has shown about our addiction to sweets. He clarifies the arguments against sugar, corrects misconceptions about the relationship between sugar and weight loss, and provides the perspective necessary to make informed decisions about sugar as individuals and as a society.

©2016 Gary Taubes (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[Taubes] helps us understand how to make better decisions regarding sugar as individuals and as a nation." ( Library Journal)
"The obesity epidemic is an ever-growing threat to the overall health of our nation. In making the case against sugar, Gary Taubes details the often insidious efforts by the sugar industry to hide how harmful it is, just as the tobacco companies once did. This is required reading for not only every parent, but every American." (Katie Couric)
"This deeply researched, well-reasoned exploration of the history and biology of sugar would convince any supreme court of nutrition that it is sugar, not fat, that should be indicted and limited. Doctors, scientists, policymakers, and concerned eaters would do well to heed Gary Taubes's advice." (Mark Hyman, M.D., author of The Blood Sugar Solution)

What listeners say about The Case Against Sugar

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A Revelation

As a physician I'm am sickened that I've been giving my patients bogus and harmful nutritional advice for the past 40 YEARS.
I personally have been sugar/carb free for several months and have become a true believer, especially after reading the science presented in this book.
A pox on the sugar industry!!!!

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Will never eat sugar again

Really not much more to say. The book doesn't explain so much about the science of the dangers of sugar as it reviews the history and scientific treatment of sugar. But in many ways that is scarier than knowing all about the different effects sugar has on the body. However, you will get a good understanding of the biggest biochemical issues as well.

This book is even more interesting if you also read (listen to):
https://www.audible.com/pd/Science-Technology/The-Big-Fat-Surprise-Audiobook/B00JXQUY4E

And while you are at it, read (listen to):
https://www.audible.com/pd/Science-Technology/Tripping-Over-the-Truth-Audiobook/B01C3BJ0KE

As well as:
https://www.audible.com/pd/Nonfiction/Why-We-Get-Fat-Audiobook/B004D5K512

It all ties together.

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Fails to deliver concrete, practical advice

The book includes a tediously detailed history on the research of sugar and its impact on health, but fails to provide any practical guidance on what we should do about this. For example, should we limit consumption of fruits? (or any naturally occurring sugars), carbs in general? (bread, pasta, potatoes...). Are artificial sweeteners a good alternative? How much sugar is it safe to consume? (and no, "zero sugar" is not a realistic option). Is honey okay? Are sweet potatoes okay?

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  • 12-31-16

Comprehensive.

The history is laid out for you to form your own opinions based on the available data. I preordered this book and it lived up to expectations.

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This book should be required reading for everyone.




In my mind the case is closed. Sugar is the devil! Gary taubes provides a convincing argument against sugar. Sugar seems to be the real cause for all the Western diseases that cause mankind to suffer. High blood pressure, heart attacks, Altzheimer's, and Cancer all seem to be caused by sugar consumption. What an absolutely fascinating book!

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Diet detective

This book is a methodical diet - health detective story. It is a great listening experience.

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Sugar: Guilty as charged!

For all of my life I have believed what the powers-that-be tell us about nutrition. Carbs are good and Fat is bad. After reading this book as well as Mr Taubes' previous title, Good Calories Bad Calories, my thinking has been turned completely around. This book offers sound scientific backup for everything it claims. I am now seriously concerned for our society as we constantly eat and drink sugar. we as a society are also heavier and a lot sicker because of it.

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If you're tired of being force fed sugar

This book changed my life. If you're tired of being force fed sugar by the processed food industry, you owe it to yourself to read this one.

We all know that sugar is ubiquitous in our food supply. It's in just about everything.

Turns out we have been wrong all along. It's in literally everything, including cigarettes!

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Found guilty

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, to try to help them understand the danger of sugar.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Case Against Sugar?

The part that focused on the Pima indians was the strongest point of this book and really showed the deadly effects sugar has on health.

Which character – as performed by Mike Chamberlain – was your favorite?

N/A

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The sweet taste of death.

Any additional comments?

This book makes it clear that although it's pretty much impossible to prove that sugar is the cause of most of our ills in society, it is most definitely the prime suspect who, if not for a few charismatic champions and reckless government policies, would have been found guilty long ago.

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Guilty as charge. Gripping and totally absorbing

I can't see how sugar can go free unless the judge is bought. Everyone needs to hear this book. Taubes has created a masterful case that if history is repeated will be attacked by doctors in the employ of big sugar, big Pharma and big agro. Don't let them get away with this.

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