That Sugar Film

That Sugar Film follows filmmaker Damon Gameau as he becomes a self-imposed test subject, examining the effects of a high-sugar diet on an otherwise healthy body.

Prior to the film, Gameau followed a diet free from refined sugar. The impending birth of his child transforms his curiosity into a pressing need to understand the impact of hidden sugars in everyday foods. Faced with conflicting advice from the medical community, he decides to conduct the experiment himself.

To do so, Gameau adopts what is commonly considered a modern “healthy” diet. This diet contains approximately 160 grams, or 40 teaspoons, of sugar per day. While increasing his sugar intake to reflect average consumption, he maintains his usual daily caloric intake. Over the course of the experiment, his body begins to exhibit the damaging effects of excessive sugar consumption. In stark detail, the film documents his expanding waistline, persistent fatigue, mental fog, and the development of fatty liver disease.