From what I have picked up, everything we know about how our bodies work, is still in hypothesis form. So, every piece of what I will say has been contended. But, this is what seems to be the consensus of what is out there, as I understand it.
A molecule of table sugar is made of two joined molecules. One is glucose, the other is fructose. After we eat it, the molecular bond between the two gradually breaks down. Glucose can be used by any cell in our bodies, so each cell it encounters takes what it needs, and lets the rest move on. Most of it is broken down in our small intestine. The stored form of glucose is called glycogen. When our blood sugar rises (as soon as we eat), our bodies release insulin to process the glucose into glycogen so it can be stored in the liver and muscle cells. Health problems from overwork of this system range from diabetes to heart disease to cancer.
Fructose can only be processed in one place in our bodies: in our livers. When we absorb nutrients into our bloodstream, most of the blood circulates through our bodies to our hearts. However, in the small intestine, there is a connection directly to the liver. So, fructose is absorbed in the small intestine where it is taken to the liver where is it processed into glycogen and byproducts LDL and triglycerides, aka bad cholesterol. If there is more fructose than the body can handle, it will store it in the liver (liver disease), and if this continues, the liver will develop cirrhosis, exactly as it would if you were an alcoholic!
So now we're thinking--wait! Fructose! That's fruit sugar. Well, no one out there seems to think that's too huge of an issue--though speaking from experience, don't go overboard. * A lot of people will say that honey, which varies but averages to be an equal amount of glucose and fructose, is the same thing as sugar. I don't buy it. They ate honey in the Bible! And prized it! A raw unfiltered honey from a farmer you trust has all the enzymes and nutrients needed for your body to process it. And (I love this!) does not break down into LDLs and triglycerides! Obviously, there is a difference. Though, still, consider the amounts of honey they must have consumed in Bible times and strive for that...you know, maybe how much wealthy Soloman must have had access to. :)
Consider these topics:
Where does your body get the materials to make the insulin to process the glucose? (think Weston Price)
Processed sugars have been shown to be more addictive to lab rats than cocaine.
The Mayor of NYC has tried to limit soft drink sizes because he feels the amount of sugar consumed leads to chronic disease
*I read that fruit had all it needed to basically process itself, and the article recommended fruit instead of breakfast, and anytime of the day eaten alone instead of a meal. So, we tried it! It didn't take long to realize that wasn't a good option for us. None of us felt good...maybe there was more I should've know, I don't know! Too complicated and I'm out of there! Food should be intuitive.
Sources Include:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Heart_Letter/2011/September/abundance-of-fructose-not-good-for-the-liver-heart
Fructose processed only in liver, 2 bi-products of fructose are LDL and triglycerides – bad cholesterol, cirrhosis
http://westernsagehoney.com/faqs.html
Honey converts directly into glycogen and not triglycerides or bad fats LDL
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=96
Health benefits of honey
http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/digestion-absorption-sucrose-3680.html
http://www.npr.org/2012/02/17/147047545/should-sugar-be-regulated-like-alcohol
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