Sugar: It really is addictive
By Better Health Research News Desk • Dec 11th, 2008 • Category: Health News, Health Resources News, Poor Diet
Have you ever found yourself eating an entire bag of chocolate candies – or reaching for yet another cupcake, even though you are full?
Science may have an answer for this compulsion – sugar is addictive. A new study found evidence in rats that bingeing on sugar may affect the brain in a similar way to taking drugs.
The findings, presented at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology’s annual meeting, reveal that the rodents’ brains reacts to sugar water in a similar way to substances such as heroin and cocaine.
After limiting the rats’ food intake each night for three weeks, they were given a breakfast of sugar – which released a surge of dopamine, a brain chemical that has been noted in addiction.
Another trial gave the animals a diet of sugar, then denied them for a few weeks. When they were offered sugar again, they tended to binge on it, consuming more than they had previously.
"These animals show signs of withdrawal and even long-lasting aftereffects that might resemble craving," said Bart Hoebel in a telephone briefing, according to Reuters.
Many health experts have criticized the Western diet for encouraging overeating and excess consumption of sugar – which has driven some people to turn to herbal supplements and a natural diet to maintain their health.
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