Dr Kelly
Sugar addiction is real. Research shows that sugar is more addictive than cocaine; and the more it is ingested, the more the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease , weight gain and metabolic syndrome.
We’ve been so conditioned to accept sugar as normal diet but the fact is that we should be looking at sugar for what it really is: “A drug” that has so much negative effect on the brain.
What happens when you eat sugar?
Once sugar gets into the mouth, it’s carried to the brain through neurotransmitter to the cerebral cortex and then cause release of Dopamine (the reward hormone) making us want to eat it again. But activating this reward system brings about;
1. Loss of control
2. Craving
3. Increased tolerance to sugar
Drugs like Nicotine , Alcohol and Heroin sends dopamine into an overdrive, making you feel High and become addicted. Sugar is one of the Dopamine meals,unlike Lettuce which doesn’t cause production of dopamine. That’s why it’s difficult forcing a kid to eat Lettuce.
When you are eating Regular meals:
If you eat regular meals consistently, your reward hormone will rise but reduce gradually from the system, so you don’t have cravings and you’re satisfied.
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When you are eating sugar-rich meals:
The dopamine level will be overactive, meaning eating more sugar will feel that we need more sugar, leading to loss of control and increased cravings.
Overconsumption of sugar can have addictive effects,but occasional consumption is not bad or rather we can change to eating natural fruits instead of refined sugar.
A little sugar now and then isn’t a big deal to most children. But sugar has been shown to have an effect similar to an addictive drug, and many kids across the United States are in fact addicted to it.
What to do for kids with sugar addiction?
1. Avoid sugar beverages
2. Make a healthy snack.
3. Train your taste ball
4. Read labels of food items to check for sugar quantity.
