Ask Doc Things might be looking up...
In June, we officially entered bull market territory. But throughout the summer, we've mostly seen stocks stagnate.
Finally, stocks are creeping toward all-time highs again. And optimism about the market and the economy is growing...
Earlier this week, Goldman Sachs released its latest odds of the U.S. economy going into a recession within the next 12 months... estimating a mere 15% chance. Its report pointed to continued job growth and rising wages as the two main factors keeping the economy healthy.
Not everyone agrees with Goldman... According to Bloomberg, most economists think there's up to a 50% chance of recession.
And the August update to the IBD/TIPP Economic Optimism Index saw a one-year low in investors' confidence in the economy.
Plenty of folks are getting worried about hyperinflation. But, as we shared last week, we don't see any warning signs of it happening.
And while volatility has started moving higher, this is still a good time to put your cash into quality stocks.
Now, you might be worried that you've missed out on some of the biggest gains in stocks already with the artificial-intelligence and tech frenzy... And you might believe that we could be on the verge of a recession and another bear market. But I don't think that's the case. And neither do two more top analysts at Stansberry Research.
If you're wondering what's next for stocks, want to find out which stocks are still worth investing in, or are just sitting on cash, I hope you'll tune in next Tuesday, September 12. These analysts will detail why they're convinced we're headed for the single biggest moneymaking setup in 30 years.
The event is free – but make sure you click here to register so you don't miss this important briefing.
Now, let's dig into some questions... As always, keep sending your comments, questions, and topic suggestions to [email protected]. My team and I really do read every e-mail.
Q: You've mentioned "added sugar" a few times lately. I looked at some food and noticed sugars broken down a couple ways, but I don't really get the difference. Is one bad and one not? – G.C.
A: Take a look at a food label (with something that has sugar in it) and you'll see sugar broken down into "total sugars" and something like "including added sugars." This labeling was added a few years ago. Before, labels only had to provide the number of total sugars.
For example, if you look at a serving of Chobani strawberry fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt, you'll see there are 13 grams of total sugar, 9 grams of which are added sugars.
Some sugars that are naturally found in food are fructose and lactose. Added sugars are things like corn syrup, molasses, and table sugar.
Natural sugars can be a good thing... occasionally. A 2005 study out of Ireland found that natural sugars like glucose help probiotics survive stomach acid. That means the natural sugar in yogurt gives the bacteria a better chance in your stomach.
But overall, our body treats most sugars the same. And too much sugar intake – whether it's natural or added – can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar. Longtime readers know that elevated blood sugar levels trigger the production of fat, increase inflammation, and raise blood pressure.
More than natural versus added sugars, the important consideration is how you're getting your sugars.
When you consume sugar in dairy, its protein and fat help slow your body's absorption so you don't get such a high spike. The same happens from the fiber in a sweet piece of fruit.
However, if you have fruit juice – even with no added sugar – your glucose levels spike because there's no fiber. That increases your risk of developing diabetes and cancer. Drinking orange juice (which often only has natural sugars) isn't the same as eating an orange. I've said before that you should never drink fruit juice.
You can use the "added sugars" label for one thing... If food has a lot of added sugar (like that fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt), that's a red flag that it's probably overprocessed. Overprocessed foods break down quickly, causing a fast blood sugar spike. And they don't usually offer enough health benefits to outweigh the amount of sugar you're getting.
That's why when you must have something sweet, stick to foods with naturally occurring sugar and pair it with fiber, fat, or protein. Instead of flavored Chobani, for example, do what I do and pile some berries on some plain yogurt. You'll get a hit of antioxidants and probiotics with a dash of sweetness. You'll keep your sugar intake in check while eating food that helps you process it.
What We're Reading...
- Something different: The time humans almost went extinct.
Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,
Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
September 8, 2023