That Sugar Film – Review

Damon Gameau puts his body on the line in That Sugar Film.  The documentary follows his experiment to see what effects sugar has on his body. He does this by eating 40 teaspoons of sugar per day through foods that the average adult would perceive as healthy, but are in fact loaded with sugar.

Gameau’s experiment lasted 60 days and he very quickly goes from being an above average health to weight gain and mood swings. Along the way celebrity guests, such as Hugh Jackman and Stephen Fry, give the audience a few fact files on the science behind sugar and its effects on the body.

With juice box in hand, this journey also takes Gameau to remote Australia and the United States. Both places reveal very personal stories on how sugar filled foods, particularly soft drinks, are effecting whole communities.

All of this is continually backed up by a team of scientists and doctors who regularly appear with facts and information on what is happening to Gameau’s body. Contrasted with fun graphics and a catchy music video, it is certainly not a boring documentary.

However, the sugar-free diet is not new.  Australian sugar-free advocate Sarah Wilson has written multiple books on the topic and aims to help individuals with a detox guide.

Wilson has been trying to push this change since 2012 but there has been some backlash, as many nutritionists do not recommend cutting out an entire food group. Despite this, she does have a large online following.

While the evidence from professionals, that refined sugar does have adverse effects on the body, should not be discredited it is important to remember past diet trends. Only a few years ago fat was the enemy and that soon changed to carbohydrates.  Both of these diet trends were also backed with evidence and led to many changes in the average Australian diet.

So while this film is both entertaining and informative, it should be taken with a grain of sugar-free, 99% fat-free, lactose free, gluten free … salt.

Written by Anja Kokkonen