This is a very good question. But the answer is simple, it's both! Sugar can be very harmful to your body, and can be very beneficial.
Sugar is a Carbohydrate, which once it enters the body, it's converted into Glucose. Glucose runs through the bloodstream and releases a very powerful hormone called Insulin. Insulin is generated through the Pancreas. From there, this entire process will do two things: will be stored in your bloodstream as fat, or used up for muscle building energy!
So here's the catch, your body is usually in a state of Anabolic or Catabolic. Anabolic meaning Growing (boost in metabolism), Catabolic meaning breaking down (slowing down of metabolism). People who rarely exercise, have a mainly Catabolic body, and Anabolic for people who do exercise.
To make sugar beneficial to your body, you need to consume it at the correct times. After a night of sleep your body is w/o fuel for quite some time, it's depleted of energy. If you consume a reasonable amount of sugar at this time it will be used by your muscles, bones and skin as energy, and it will not be stored as fat. Another key time for sugar consumption is after a workout. Regardless if you ran a marathon, lifted heavy weights, or did a million sprints, your body is depleted of it's energy. When the body is depleted of energy it uses energy from your muscles to help you keep going (bad). Some sugar in the morning is fine, and some sugar with some quality protein after a workout is ideal!
My post workout consumption - sugary drink w/whey protein shake and two ripe bananas!
SLJ Fitness
