Lately, sugar is making a powerful comeback in the media. I guess it’s one of those topics that will never leave the back of people’s mind. Why? Probably because of the ever-growing fresh studies and the avalanche of questions that still need to be addressed.
My current coup de coeur read is by André Marette Ph.D., a professor at the medicine faculty of the Laval University. Titled La vérité sur le sucre, his recent book offers insightful knowledge about the controversies surrounding sugar. If you are interested in the sugar matter and can read French, I highly recommend this book.
There is no denying that high consumption of added sugar, especially from highly processed food products, can play a hand in the development of type 2 diabetes through its effect on weight and metabolic process. However, just when you think you had it all figured out, researchers continue to overwhelm us with new findings that leave us with more questions rather than answers.
Among the several interesting topics that are discussed in the book, Dr. Marette stirs the pot again by tackling the rotten label that was bestowed on sugar a few year ago.
Is Sugar a drug?
The Brain and Sugar
Uncontrolled behavior, withdrawal symptoms, and irresistible cravings are the typical hallmarks of drugs that have been observed in people with food addiction. Throughout the years, animal studies shed the light on the similarity that exists between the effects of drugs on the brain and those of sugar. The most nerve-racking observation (for me anyway) is when researchers witnessed rats launching for the sugary solution rather than the one containing cocaine or heroin!
It is stipulated that obese people have lower levels of dopamine, which could make them more vulnerable to sugar. Like drugs, sugar can elevate the levels of dopamine, a chemical known to stimulate the pleasure area of the brain. People who suffer from depression and anxiety have low levels of serotonin, which prompt them to eat more sugar since it can help to boost the levels of serotonin back up.
With that said, a group of researchers from the University of Cambridge shared in a recently published article that “little evidence supports sugar as an addictive substance, and the animal neuroscience literature suggests sweetness or palatability to be critical elements of addictive-like eating.”
The Crisis
Philadelphia took active measures to counterattack the tight grasp sugar has on our lives. The city courageously made the decision to tax sugary drinks.
It comes to no surprise that Americans are suckers for sugar (especially sweetened soft drinks) with an average daily consumption of 94 grams (358 calories; = 2 ½ cans of coke) last year. According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, added sugar should only take up 10% or less of total daily energy intake , which is the equivalent of 50 to 65 grams based on a 2,000-2,600 calories diet.
Americans are consuming nearly twice as much sugar than they should!
My Thoughts
Research has shown that food does more to the body than simply nourish it. Its effect on the brain can dictate the amount consumed and our behavior towards it. Medically speaking, to go as far as to say that sugar IS a drug might be a stretch (but a widely purported and easy-to-grasp idea). On the other hand, food addiction is real.
As I’ve said many times before: moderation is the key to a healthy diet. Sugar is unlikely to cause serious damage when it is consumed in moderate amount but can push you down the rabbit hole if you abuse it.
Final say: Sugar is NOT a drug… until further high-quality evidence proves otherwise.
References
André M. La vérité sur le sucre. Montreal: VLB Éditeur; 2016.
Just how much sugar do Americans consume? It’s complicated. CBS News. URL Link. Published September 20, 2016. Accessed September 27, 2016.
Westwater ML, Fletcher PC, Ziauddeen H. Sugar addiction: the state of the science. Eur J Nutr. 2016.
