I've been off and on sugar since 1997, I've noticed through the years my asthma and hay fever disappeared if I stay off of sugar and refined carbs. I lost 50lbs 3 years ago getting off sugar and wheat. I found out through a my oldest daughters DNA test my family on both sides is 98 percent Western European and we have a larger than normal amount Neanderthal DNA. I read if one has a Neanderthal DNA one is prone to autoimmune disease, celiac disease, allergies to wheat and dairy and we don't process sugar very well. I found this out the hard way.

@punky you should try and get off sugar again, it only takes a few weeks to let go of the cravings. I don't eat a lot of sweet fruit, that seems to help let go of the cravings as well.

I met several Tibetan Rinpoche's that had been put in prison by the Chinese government for years. They were treated worse than slaves but retained their empathy and happiness. I think slavery is awful but what is even worse is being a slave to craving, hatred, and other negative mind states. Letting go of sugar helped my state of mind as well!