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Patt 08/16/10 12:21 AM

Sugar is addictive
 
Someone asked awhile back in a thread if there is any scientific evidence that sugar is addictive and what it's effects are on the body:

Quote:

In fact, sugar meets all the criteria for an addictive substance:


•It stimulates release of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin, in a manner similar to alcohol, cocaine, and other drugs of abuse.
•People eat it compulsively, despite negative consequences and the intention to stop.
•With continued use, people develop a tolerance to its effects.
•Heavy sugar consumers have trouble functioning without it.
•When consumption ceases, withdrawal symptoms occur.
http://health.yahoo.net/rodale/PVN/1...ugar-addiction

whodunit 08/16/10 02:04 AM

You'll get no argument from me. Eating it causes a vicious circle- your blood sugar raises and crashes due to overproduction of insulin which causes more cravings to get your blood sugar back up. It never ends!

Navotifarm 08/16/10 06:50 AM

Sugar and chocolate!!! Yum yum! I'm addicted!

nehimama 08/16/10 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Navotifarm (Post 4587459)
Sugar and chocolate!!! Yum yum! I'm addicted!

'Specially the chocolate part. Yum Yum!

momof2birds 08/16/10 07:37 AM

I am absolutely addicted to sugar. When I get too much, like in rich frosted birthday cakes, I get a very particular upset stomach. I am a 'cookie monster' as well. Definitely hooked but most days I try to steer clear.

arabian knight 08/16/10 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nehimama (Post 4587462)
'Specially the chocolate part. Yum Yum!

And so am I and so what if sugar and Chocolate is additive? There are far worse things out there.

geo in mi 08/16/10 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patt (Post 4587303)
Someone asked awhile back in a thread if there is any scientific evidence that sugar is addictive and what it's effects are on the body:



http://health.yahoo.net/rodale/PVN/1...ugar-addiction

(By Jeffrey Rossman, Ph.D., Rodale.com)

I think you and the man from Rodale Institute have made the leap to assertion from inconclusive(which the original scientists admitted) scientific studies--it's easy to do that with the stroke of a pen when you're writing a pop article and getting paid for it. See this one which disagrees with the assertion: http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science...says-scientist

geo

arabian knight 08/16/10 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geo in mi (Post 4587667)
(By Jeffrey Rossman, Ph.D., Rodale.com)

I think you and the man from Rodale Institute have made the leap to assertion from inconclusive(which the original scientists admitted) scientific studies--it's easy to do that with the stroke of a pen when you're writing a pop article and getting paid for it. See this one which disagrees with the assertion: http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science...says-scientist

geo

I agree as most of these so called writers get to the end of their government grant and need a excuse to get that grant renewed and bingo they come and write some pop article like this one on sugar and how it is, or should started with the word MAYBE, sugar is additive. Instead of a absolute fact that it is additive.

Callieslamb 08/16/10 10:43 AM

Nope - I know sugar is addictive for me. If I eat/drink it - I always want more of whatever. Examples I have experienced - dark chocolate - I can just eat one. Milk chocolate - I will find a way to get MORE than one. Diet pop : I rarely drink either diet or otherwise, but when I drink diet, I often forget I have it. With regular soda, I drink it faster, and always want more.

I think the effects of sugar varies from person to person just like alcohol. But for me: I consider it addictive.

Heritagefarm 08/16/10 11:35 AM

Anything can be addictive, more so for some people than for others. Alcohol can be addictive, sugar can be addictive, soda, forums, TV dinners, video games, and goats can become addictive.

Patt 08/16/10 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geo in mi (Post 4587667)
(By Jeffrey Rossman, Ph.D., Rodale.com)

I think you and the man from Rodale Institute have made the leap to assertion from inconclusive(which the original scientists admitted) scientific studies--it's easy to do that with the stroke of a pen when you're writing a pop article and getting paid for it. See this one which disagrees with the assertion: http://www.foodnavigator.com/Science...says-scientist

geo

From your link:
Quote:

However, independent researcher Professor David Benton, who specialises in dietary influences on mood and cognitive function, disagrees.

He told ConfectioneryNews.com that changes in the brain caused by sugar consumption, as with food consumption in general, differ from those caused by drug abuse.
Too funny, I am sure that wasn't biased.....

texican 08/16/10 03:22 PM

Of course sugar is addictive. So is oxygen. So is water. So is sleep.

Seriously, our ancestors (regardless of which side you're on, evolution vs. creationism) were imparted with special means of ascertaining whether a strange food was safe to eat. Sweet is most always good. Sour, bitter, rancid, were almost always avoided.

The 'sweet tooth' is hardwired into our brains and bodies. SUGAR is Sweet, Sugar is Good... eating Sugar Sandwiches with Honey on top, while watching Oprah, avoiding heat, exercise, and other forms of movement are bad.

I can go for weeks without eating candy, sweets, desserts etc. But, I am addicted to sugar, just like I am to my previously mentioned love of oxygen, water, and other nice vices.

GoldenCityMuse 08/16/10 04:20 PM

Let's hear it for vitamin S!!!

In moderation.

Same with other vitamins. Too much vitamin A [or is it D] is actually toxic to the body.

And I venture to say that nearly ALL foods release neurotransmitters in the brain. Would be nice to see some comparisons.

CarolynRenee 08/17/10 03:13 AM

I personally agree about sugar being addictive. For me. I'm a cookie, chocolate, cupcake crazywoman! But, I have a friend who could care less for sweets, but would kill for a cupiccino (sp?).

I used to be very "unmoved" towards people with drug additcions. Until I tried cutting sugar out of my diet. It was, and still is, a VERY hard thing for me to control. I can't even imagine how hard it would be for someone trying to quit smoking or cocaine.

naturelover 08/17/10 03:36 AM

Sugar can be addictive. So can lots of other things if they aren't used in moderation. Sugar is also a staple health and preservative item that people and animals have been using for a variety of necessities for thousands of years, just like lots of other things.

.

tinknal 08/17/10 04:23 AM

"Sugar is addictive"

So is self righteousness,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Bat Farm 08/17/10 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican (Post 4588379)
... eating Sugar Sandwiches with Honey on top, while watching Oprah, avoiding heat, exercise, and other forms of movement are bad.

There go my plans for the weekend...

plowjockey 08/19/10 08:01 PM

Sugar and HFC is a key reason everyone is getting fatter.

SUGAR/HFC IS IN EVERYTHING ANY MORE. Sweet sells - Sweet makes you want to eat more.

Some recent discoveries:

Sugar/HFC in shrimp coctail sauce?

Sugar/HFC in "horseradish" sauce for prime rib (when did horseradish enen need to be a sauce? - all that Walmart sells)

Sugar/HFC in Wendy's chili.

Sugar/HFC in nearly ALL store spagetti sauces.

DN asked for a "browine cake" at the store, which was two thin slabs of brownies sandwiched between about 2 1/2" of sugar/fat icing! -Yuck!

You bet food manufacturers want people addicted to food. Sugar/HFC is how they do it.

texican 08/19/10 08:27 PM

Is there anything sugar doesn't make a little better?

One of my favorite uncles has a saying, that involves sugar....

"You put enough butter and sugar on a cow pattie, it'll taste good"...

I did see some chocolate covered moose nuggets with powdered sugar on top at a potluck in AK... they disappeared quickly. ...and a few 'reappeared' after the 'ingredient' was revealed. ;)

Heritagefarm 08/19/10 10:08 PM

Tell me you're joking??

ronbre 08/20/10 09:38 AM

the film FATHEAD

the book Good Calorie/Bad Calorie by Gary Taubes

convinced me to eliminate nearly all carbs from my diet

Paquebot 08/20/10 10:49 AM

Sugar was more a part of Native Americans lives than salt. They quite probably used it for sweetening and curing food long before Europeans were introduced to sugar. It was probably one of the first foods not eaten as grown or gathered. That was maple syrup and maple sugar.

Martin

Hooligan 08/20/10 11:55 AM

You know what else is addictive?

Using the "i'm addicted" excuse to attempt to justify behavior.

GoldenCityMuse 08/20/10 05:48 PM

I agree about the ridiculous amount of sweetener put in readymade ketchp, BBQ sauce, processed foods, etc.

But the answer is to make your own. I occasionally make my own ketchup with tomato sauce and vinegar, seasoning, and yes, some sugar &salt. Guar gum to thicken.

Shoupie 08/20/10 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texican (Post 4588379)

Seriously, our ancestors (regardless of which side you're on, evolution vs. creationism) were imparted with special means of ascertaining whether a strange food was safe to eat. Sweet is most always good. Sour, bitter, rancid, were almost always avoided.

The 'sweet tooth' is hardwired into our brains and bodies.

I very much agree.


It doesn't take a study to figure it out. Why do your cows or sheep or horses like alfalfa over grass hay over a noxious weed. Because one is much higher in nutrients and those animals who seek it out over grass hay or a noxious weed are healthier have more healthy babies and pass on that preference for liking alfalfa. DRUMROLL: you have just witnessed the evolution of TASTE!!!

Same thing for humans sugar is not readily found in the wild nor is salt or fat but all are crucial to human life. So when you found it you ate all of it and looked around to see if there was anymore before going back to eating your beetles.

Now that sugar salt and fat are cheap and everywhere our hardwiring can't rewrite itself quickly enough.


They're even starting to put sugar in dog and cat treats so that pets will have cravings for them.

Old John 08/20/10 07:23 PM

Yeah, but.........I was just seeing an article on the News about needing to cut back on "Sugars", White sugar, molasses, honey, maple syrup, & high fructose corn syrup.
It is ALL Sugar


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