Sugar as Medicine: 8 Powerful Insights from Eight Constitution Medicine (ECM) on Sugar and Glucose

Sugar is often considered one of the “three whites”-along with salt and chemical seasonings-that harm our health. Many people try to avoid sugar for this reason.

But is sugar truly the villain it’s made out to be? According to Eight Constitution Medicine (ECM), the answer is more nuanced. For some, sugar can even act as a medicine.

Sugar’s Forgotten Role in Korean Medicine

In the past, sugar was used as a home remedy in Korea. When people had colds, body aches, or fatigue, they drank sugar water to recover. Medical classics described sugar as cooling and non-toxic, useful for symptoms like dry mouth, cough, or even burns.

Sugar was not seen as universally harmful. Its effects depended on the person’s condition and constitution.

What is Eight Constitution Medicine (ECM)?

ECM is a unique Korean medical system that classifies people into eight body types. Each type has different strengths and weaknesses in organ function. Diet and lifestyle recommendations are personalized for each constitution.

Sugar: Helpful for Cholecystonia and Hepatonia

According to ECM, sugar from sugarcane is slightly cooling. It helps strengthen weak lung and large intestine functions. It also calms an overactive heart.

This makes sugar beneficial for people with the Cholecystonia and Hepatonia constitutions. These types often feel better after consuming a little sugar, especially when tired or tense.

For example, Cholecystonia types often feel their fatigue and tension melt away after sucking on a candy. Sweet foods can even improve their appetite and digestion. Many enjoy their coffee with plenty of sugar.

Hepatonia types also benefit from sugar in similar ways.

Sugar: Harmful for Colonotonia and Pulmotonia

On the other hand, sugar is not suitable for Colonotonia and Pulmotonia types. These people naturally have strong lung and large intestine functions. Sugar can worsen their condition, leading to negative health effects.

This is why sugar is often seen as unhealthy-it’s especially problematic for these constitutions.

Glucose: The Better Choice for Some Types

Glucose, although sweet like sugar, acts differently in the body. It strengthens weak liver and gallbladder functions. Glucose is especially helpful for Colonotonia, Pulmotonia, Vesicotonia, and Renotonia types.

However, glucose is usually made from corn. Corn-based glucose is great for Vesicotonia and Renotonia, and acceptable for Colonotonia. But for Pulmotonia, corn-based glucose can sometimes cause problems.

Artificial Sweeteners and ECM

What about aspartame and other artificial sweeteners? ECM research on these is still limited. Food classification in ECM involves analyzing both chemical properties and raw ingredients, then testing their effects on each constitution.

Aspartame, for example, is much sweeter than sugar and breaks down into several components in the body. Recent studies have raised concerns about its safety.

Taste receptors are found not only on the tongue but throughout the body. Artificial sweeteners may affect these receptors differently depending on your constitution.

Practical ECM Guidelines for Sugar and Glucose

• Cholecystonia & Hepatonia: Moderate amounts of natural sugar (preferably black or brown) can be beneficial, especially during fatigue or stress.

• Colonotonia & Pulmotonia: Best to avoid sugar. Glucose may be helpful, but Pulmotonia should be careful with corn-based glucose.

• Gastrotonia & Pancreotonia: Can tolerate moderate sugar without major issues.

• Vesicotonia & Renotonia: Should limit sugar, but may benefit from glucose.

Remember, these guidelines don’t override general advice for conditions like obesity or diabetes. Even if sugar is helpful for your constitution, moderation is always important.

Conclusion

Eight Constitution Medicine (ECM) offers a personalized perspective on sugar. Sugar isn’t simply good or bad-it depends on your unique constitution.

For some, sugar can restore energy and calm the mind. For others, it can be harmful. Glucose and artificial sweeteners also have different effects depending on your type.

Modern nutrition often gives one-size-fits-all advice. ECM reminds us that our bodies are unique. Understanding your constitution can help you make better dietary choices for lifelong health.