Consuming excess sugar not only dysregulates reward systems but also contributes to chronic brain damage, a factor associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, according to studies published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Tan, X., & Benedict, C., 2018), consulted by the Data Laboratory against Obesity (LabDO).
Sugar can affect your health
Sugar triggers endorphin release and combines with other chemicals in the body, leading to a quick energy boost.Once a person mentally associates sugar with energy gain, they can become dependent.
Experts say that sugar can trigger dopamine release, leading to compulsive behavior and potential addiction. This is particularly risky for those who consume it excessively and struggle with low mood, anxiety, or stress. (Addiction Center)
Sugar Addiction Statistics
Unfortunately, there are few statistics on sugar addiction. However, Addiction Center reports that research has shown how common sugar consumption is in the United States.
- According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the average American consumes more than 17 teaspoons of added sugar per day.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 14% of the daily calories of an average person come from added sugars.
- They also indicate that the main sources of added sugars are sugary beverages, cereals, and desserts such as cookies, brownies, cakes, pies, ice cream, frozen dairy desserts, donuts, sweet breads, and pastries.
Signs of Sugar Addiction
Unlike other substance use disorders or behavioral compulsions, sugar addiction is quite easy to recognize. According to Addiction Center, the clearest signs of sugar addiction include consuming large amounts of sugary foods or beverages.
A person with this addiction may:
- Constantly eat.
- Eat to combat boredom.
- Become very active or hyperactive, and then feel tired or experience a crash.
- Talk about their desire to eat sugar after stressful or upsetting situations.
In summary, sugar addiction can be noticed when someone consumes a lot of sugar and feels they need it in difficult moments.
Addictive quality
The critical “addictive” quality of sugar may be restricted to its sweetness, nutritional value, or some combination of the two. The addictive properties of sugar may occur through three neural mechanisms: one related to palatability (pleasant to the taste), another with caloric value, and a third arising from a combination of both, according to research published in the European Journal of Nutrition. (Westwater, 2016)
In the last 50 years, sugar consumption has tripled worldwide. In many areas, people are consuming an average of more than 500 calories a day just from added sugar (high fructose corn syrup). (Lustig, R., 2012)
Healing sugar addiction
And unlike treating drug or alcohol addiction, experts point out that healing sugar addiction may focus on dietary changes, working with a dietitian, therapy, and in some cases, medication support.
Just like when quitting drugs abruptly, abstaining from sugar can trigger some unpleasant symptoms such as intense cravings for sweet foods, mood swings, increased anxiety, fatigue, irritability, nausea, difficulty concentrating, as well as disrupted sleep patterns. (Addiction Help, 2024)
References about Sugar and Health: Why You Should Cut Back on Your Intake
- Addiction Center. (n.d.). Sugar addiction. https://www.addictioncenter.com/behavioral-addictions/sugar-addiction/
- Addiction Help. (2024, January 13). Sugar addiction. https://www.addictionhelp.com/sugar/#:~:text=Common%20warning%20signs%20of%20sugar%20addiction%20include:&text=Eating%20sugar%2Dfilled%20foods%20even,sugar%20despite%20the%20negative%20consequences
- LabDO, (2024, Diciembre 4). Mucha azúcar puede afectar tu salud. Laboratorio De Datos Contra La Obesidad. https://labdo.org/mucha-azucar-puede-afectar-tu-salud/
- Lustig, R., Schmidt, L., & Brindis, C. (2012). The toxic truth about sugar. Nature, 482, 27–29. https://doi.org/10.1038/482027a
