Sugar Pros And Cons

Sweet & Sour: The Contentious Debate About Sugar

In our contemporary world, there is an abundance of sugar and it is something we eat regularly; however, things were not always this way. Arriving in Europe roughly 1000 years ago, sugar was rare, highly sought after, and was used as medicine, as well as food. This paper explores the history of sugar in Europe, outlining the ways it was first introduced, as well as its usage in the medical field. Moreover, resistance to sugar as medicine by certain theologians, led by Miguel Serveto, began a contentious debate in regards to sugar’s place in the European diet.

Contrary to what most people think, sugar was not first introduced to Europe during the Crusades; prior to the 11th century, small portions of sugar were

imported into Europe, but by no stretch was it widely held or known to most citizens (Mintz, 1985).

However, after sacking Jerusalem in the late 1000s, Crusades brought back the spice and it began to gain traction among those who could hope to afford it. Soon after, Crusaders began to grow their own sugar, and the sugar production would become of the dominant markets in the history of Europe in the following centuries. Sadly, the sugar trade was often bloody and exploitative, with slave labor being employed to satisfy the appetite for the spice in Europe (Abbott, 2011).

Although we today understand sugar to be a sweetener for food and drink, many Europeans believed sugar was best used as medicine. Before even arriving in Europe, many thinkers in the Arab world used sugar as medicine for various ailments and thoroughly explored its benefits. The Arab world was at the forefront of pharmacology during the first half of the 2st millennia, creating massive advances in science similar to

those that would eventually take place during the Enlightenment in Europe, albeit later (Levey, 1973). European thinkers, influenced by their Arab counterparts, similar felt the substance could be used to cure the sick. As soon as sugar was introduced in the 13th century, doctors began to concoct different combination that would improve one’s health. They relied on the extensive literature penned by Arab thinkers, which was eventually translated for them and guided their practice. One of the foremost supporters of sugar as medicine was Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest thinkers of his time, whose words carried weight. According to Aquinas and those saw the benefits of sugar as medicine, the substance was useful for “easing” digestion (Mintz, 1985). As the greatest theologian of his era, one would assume his support for sugar as medicine would inspire his fellow Church-goers that it was useful – however, that was not the case. Certain Christians, most notable Michael Servetus (1511-1553), denounced the practice, mainly because of its Arab influences (Mintz, 1985). Unfortunately, these attacks were very much directly at people whose faith contradicted their own, rather than valid criticism of the remedies themselves – ad holmium attacks that did not encourage a back-and-forth between cultures who had so much to offer one another.
In conclusion, although there was significant push-back against the use of sugar, the commodity has survived and prospered in Europe. While sugar’s rarity, price and use has changed vastly over the centuries, it has always been a good that has a significant effect on markets, and by extension, society itself. This piece dives into the history of sugar in Europe, highlighting how it was first introduced in the continent, as well as its usage in medicine. Additionally, Miguel Serveto’s resistance to sugar’s medical purposes began a combative debate in regards to the food’s place in European society.