By Maddie Mills, Student Nutritionist
Breaking Down the AddictionSugar releases dopamine and endorphins in the body, leading to short term highs and bursts of energy. Some animal studies have even shown that it can be considered as addictive as cocaine! People can grow dependent on sugar as a source of energy and/or emotional comfort. What is Added Sugar?According to the Mayo Clinic, added sugars are "the sugars and syrups added to foods during processing." Added sugars are often used by the food industry to enhance flavor and improve shelf life of different products. However, these unnatural and excessive sources of sugar can be detrimental to our health and well being... Signs of Addiction to Sugar
Source: Addiction Center Common Sources of Added Sugar : Soft drinks, fruit juices, flavored yogurt, packaged pastries, candies, many processed foods, bread, cured meats, condiments, salad dressings, etc. What's the Harm?According to Harvard Medical school, studies have shown a link between high-sugar diets and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Frank Hu explains that too much sugar can also increase blood pressure, promote inflammation in the body, and lead to metabolic disorders weight gain, fatty liver disease, and diabetes (Harvard Health Publishing 2022). Each of these ailments may lead to chronic disease, heart attack or stroke. It has also been found that certain processed foods rich in refined sugar can affect the hormonal balance of leptin in your body. Leptin is an important hunger regulation hormone, which is another reason that added processed sugars can attribute to weight gain and metabolic issues. The Texas Institute for Neurological Disorders also explains that research has shown a diet high in sugar can lead to memory loss and cognitive deficiencies. The scariest part, is that sugar has the ability to affect neurotransmitters in the brain, disrupt dopamine levels, and ultimately has contributed to a neurological dependency and sugar addiction in our society. Sneaky Sugar SourcesBe alert and check food labels. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends keeping our sugar consumption to <25 grams per day. Below are just SOME of the words the FDA identifies as synonymous to sugar, and companies may use these to hide sugar into their products if consumers aren't aware:
Not All Sugar is Bad...Sugar is an incredibly broad term, and can't definitively be described as good or bad. On one hand, added sugars contribute to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. On the other hand, complex carbohydrates are the main source of energy for our bodies and minds. However, both can be considered sugar. Additionally, the food industry is good at hiding sugar in their products. So, how do we navigate the complexities of SUGAR in our daily diet?
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