Sugar was for a long time a luxury and in the opinion of the medical profession it still should be. During the nineteenth century, however, manufactures discovered (96) ______ of producing it in vast quantities and it has since become one of the staple articles of diet, particularly for the lower social classes. It has the advantages of being comparatively cheap, easily digested, rich in energy and useful for flavoring. Its major drawbacks are that it lacks every nourishing quality except that of giving energy, and because of its attractive flavor it (97)______ to displace other much more valuable foods from the diet. Most serious of all is its adverse (98) _____ on health, since excessive consumption can cause heart trouble, obesity and dental decay. The latter is widespread among the inhabitants of western countries. From the very young to the very old, (99) ______ anyone escapes. Yet if parents would drastically reduce the (100) ______ of confectionery they allow their children to eat, the extend of dental decay would soon be made

During the nineteenth century, however, manufactures discovered (96) ______ of producing it in vast quantities and it has since become one of the staple articles of diet, particularly for the lower social classes.