In this episode, we examine the unique properties of sugar and describe their metabolic implications. We focus on the ways in which sugar differs from other carbohydrates during digestion, discuss some evolutionary differences between us and our ancestors with respect to sugar consumption and finally talk about the potentially harmful effects that sugar produces irrespective of amount. 0:00 Intro2:53 What is sugar?7:50 Evolution & metabolism9:57 Uric acid12:34 How the body stores sugar15:55 Differences in sugar digestion18:23 Glucose vs. fructose26:20 Recap27:50 Closing remarksSources(Kratzer, J.) Evolutionary history and metabolic insights of ancient mammalian uricases(Lanaspa, M.) Uric Acid Induces Hepatic Steatosis by Generation of Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress(Russo, E.) Fructose and Uric Acid: Major Mediators of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Starting at Pediatric Age(Mortera R.) Fructose at the crossroads of the metabolic syndrome and obesity epidemics(Maiuolo, J.) Regulation of uric acid metabolism and excretion(Chang, B.) Ancient insights into uric acid metabolism in primates(Gustafsson, D.) The pathophysiology of hyperuricaemia and its possible relationship to cardiovascular disease, morbidity and mortality(Rabbani N.) Glyoxalase in diabetes, obesity and related disorders