Is Sugar Addictive?

Addiction is defined through three stages: craving, tolerance, and withdrawal.  In a recent study rats were exposed to sugar and cocaine, and then given a choice between the two. Can you guess what they picked every time? They picked the sugar.  They preferred the sweet taste over the high of cocaine.

Despite this evidence, it seems doctors are split on whether or not it is actually addictive through definition. The experts do agree that sugar causes cravings and can build up tolerances, but the doctors that are opposed to sugar being addictive say so because the body does not show physical signs of withdrawal. While this evidence is still a source of debate, let’s focus on what they all agree on.

Both sides agree on sugar tolerance.  This means that your body gets used to sugar, and it will become less responsive to it after repeated use.  They also agree on the cravings. As your body becomes less responsive to the sweet taste and the satisfied feeling, the desire for sugar gets stronger. And this is where we like to say the cycle begins.

Sugar is not all bad. It is a source of energy, and in the natural world it is paired up with important vitamins.  When our blood sugar is at a healthy level it properly fuels our metabolism.  The problem is that our biology is geared towards using sugar as an energy source because it is a simple compound and is easily usable.  It is this trait that may make sugar cravings hard to control.

Food and drink companies have found a lot of ways to take advantage of these cravings through constant advertisement on television, radio, internet, grocery and local convenient stores, and just about anywhere else you look.

Misinformation is their weapon of choice. The best defense is to be armed with the facts. All this week we will post blogs about sugar like what it is, where it hides, how it’s been modified, how it effects the body and the body’s reaction, and it’s correlation to type 2 diabetes. If you think you know sugar, think again.

Happy reading!

Written by Joann Agoglia
Edited by Robert Marshall