The Addictive Nature Of Sugar

The past fifty years has seen a spike in the consumption of sugar, that number totaling a tripling increase. However, sugar is not the only risk factor here, alcohol and tobacco can also be attributed with the spike, albeit not as prevalent as sugar. The biggest question that Lustig et al. poses to its’ readers is this: “What aspects of the Western diet should be the focus of intervention”? (par. 3) The current USDA has been deemed “boogeymen” of diets, as well as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Lustig et al. all believe that our attention should be turned towards “added sugar”, which is a sweetener that has fructose in it. Perhaps the biggest controversy from the past fifty years has been none other than a severe culprit that experts know as high fructose corn syrup or HFCS.

Sugary beverages suggest a poor dietary quality; they are loaded with added sugars and attribute to the body’s energy density. “A 20-year study on 120,000 men and women found that people who increased their sugary drink consumption by one 12-ounce serving per day gained more weight over time—about 4 pounds per year” (19). Through increasing the daily intake in trivial increments, the body substantially results in an increased BMI (body mass index) and an increased body fat percentage score. Another study conducted at Harvard found that a 60 percent increase occurs in children for each 12-ounce they additionally drink daily. (________) The growing correlation between obesity and sugar has led to further studies, and statistical data. Researchers have revealed that in total, “half the people in the U.S. consume sugary drinks; 1 in 4 get at least 200 calories from such drinks; and 5% get at least 567 calories.” It was additionally found that one-fourth of Americans are consuming more than 135 grams of sugar per day from soda and other sweetened beverages, which compares to people of the past who only had 10 grams of fructose a day (_____). Such a high daily intake of sugar and calories illustrates the risk that arises when people consume too much sugar; that is, sugary drinks result in weight issues and medical consequences.

Sugar releases a powerful neurotransmitter called dopamine in the substantia nigra of the brain causing a reciprocated bonding of dopamine in the brain, similar to the chemical reaction that many drugs cause. Repetition of this cascade of dopamine over time will consequently reduce the dopamine receptors in the substantia nigra causing us to need a higher dose of the substance to receive the previous effect. An experimental study by Bradley Hoebel and Nicole of Oxford University found that the concept of sugar addiction is validated further in lab rats. They discovered that rats who shared characteristics such as a frequent tendency to drink sugar water would more rapidly learn to self-administer cocaine. The addictive properties in sugar proved to be high enough that rats would even prefer sugar over cocaine (Avena et al., 2015). The combination of addiction and tolerance will cause a desire for satisfaction that can never, on the same level, be met. Understandably so, the continuous state of dissatisfaction will depress the users and abusers. This physiological and psychological addiction may be a strong factor in the fact that 20-40 percent of severely obese people and adolescence suffer from binge eating (Yanovski et al,. 2003). As there are obvious negative connotations in accordance to health with regards to alcohol use and smoking because of the harmful chronic effects it may carry, sugar is a close competitor in the category of worst things to consume. To pair with individual consequences, there are vast economic and even national defense consequences of the rise in weight as 25% of military applicants are now being rejected for obesity related conditions (Lustig et al.,

In our daily life, we all have tasted sugar probably more than you think. Sugar is something we enjoy without having much concern, in fact this can be problematic. With the amount of sugar we take in, it can affect our health in the future. Therefore, the US government should create strict sugar regulations, in order to prevent future health problems of its citizens. The regulation can hopefully help prevent the increasing rate of diabetes, more risk of liver issues, and reduce people’s sugar addiction. Most people are unaware of these problems and it’s up to the US to make a change in people's health with a strict sugar regulation.

The American diet is based mostly in processed food which contains enormous amount of sugar. The excessive consumption of sugar can cause diseases such as obesity, heart diseases, alzheimer, liver diseases, diabetes and others. One of the problems with the consumption of sugar is that people get sick progressively without the knowledge that it is caused by sugar. In addition, sugar is an addictive food and life without it is almost impossible. As a result, processed foods are cheaper than healthy food. It is hard to avoid processed food when Americans do not have time to cook because of their life style. Americans need to know the way to change their diet and improve their lifestyles. Americans sometimes forget about the amount of sugar that a soda or flavored drink contains. These drinks are tasty, but it will not satisfy thirst. Sugar is equally dangerous and has the same health effects than smoke cigarettes. Consume sugar in excessive amounts per day have a significant effect in Americans ' daily life. Americans should be aware of the diseases caused by their eating habits, therefore; they should be more conscious of what they eat and change their diet.

As addictive properties of sugar had exploded the demand for sugar at the start of the 1700’s, the demand called for higher production. The ideal climate in the Caribbean and the abundance of African slaves provided this higher production, transforming the small English sugar trade into the beginning of global commerce. After the discovery of the Caribbean in 1492, the land was colonized and used for its ideal climate to grow cane sugar (Doc. 1, 2, and 6). The cheap land had popped up colonies that started utilizing slaves and other resources to make a highly efficient labor system (Doc. 9, 10, and production facility (Doc. 7-12

There are plenty of reasons and research studies that show how destructive sugar can be for your health if not managed properly, “and unfortunately our standard American Diet is anything but balanced.”(Konie 1) Americans don’t manage their sugar levels, let alone manage their sugar intake. The exponential growth of obesity in underway and the main cause. Sugar. Many people don’t understand this but sugar is perfectly fine as long as you can control it, many also don’t realize just, “how dangerous the extremes can be.”(Konie 1)

Sugar is, and has always been, unavoidable; conversely, sugar has not always been toxic. Naturally abundant and technically enhanced, this substance has followed in the footsteps of tobacco and alcohol, becoming just as unhealthy and ultimately lethal. And, without the implementation of government

Sugar had a major influence of the rise of the West; social, cultural, and political factors all contribute to the Rise of the West, and was essential to make this happen.

If you are American, you ate too much sugar today, twice the daily limit, about 60 to 90 grams of added sugars. Americans consume two to three times the daily limit of added sugars, a silent, yet serious issue. Many people are confused about what added sugars are, which are unnatural sweeteners with extra calories that are added into foods and beverages, through cooking, processing, or on the table (Today’s Dietitian Magazine). From October 2011 to December 2012, ChooseHealthLA ran a marketing campaign to combat excess consumption of sugar sweetened beverages in America with more effectiveness compared to other similar campaigns, “resulting in more than 515 million impressions” throughout “mass media, billboards, buses, and railways” (Barragan).

Summary: This documentary showed how sugar is as addicting as cocaine. By 2050, one in three people will be diagnosed with type two diabetes, where in 1980, there was zero reported cases. Companies know this information and reduced the fat, but doubled the sugar in their product.

For centuries, the high consumption of sugar has been known to have negative health effects on people of all ages. Independent of its caloric content and impact on weight, sugar is arguably the major cause of many chronic illnesses that develop among individuals. According to a study primarily conducted by Robert Lustig and Jean-Marc Schwarz, the reduction of sugar for even a small interval of time can notably improve metabolism. The subjects of the study included 43 Latino and African American kids who also possessed another comorbidity that may have arisen as a result of living a sedentary life or consuming a poor diet. For a span of 9 days, these habitual sugar consumers were given preselected meals which still consisted of processed

This research paper will be looking into the correlations between the use of sugar and artificial sweeteners and the rises in health issues in the united states. In order to do this the focus will be mainly on soft drinks and other drinks with high sugar content. While the correlations will be looking at dates after 1940 and the beginnings of World War II, the evidence and background information will overlap will early 20th century dates. This paper will not be discussing the environmental effects of sugar production, labor regulations and mistreatment of workers. While the question pertains to the united states there will be other information and statistics shown from other countries with high consumptions of well know high sugar content

Attention: Are you a sugarholic? Do you eat refined sugar everyday? Can you go more than one day without eating some type of sugar containing food? Have you ever hidden candy in your home in an effort not to share them with anyone? If you have you are not alone; I am guilty of my own questions. Sugar addiction is the most prevalent, widely practiced and legally accepted addiction in our society. Through my research I have found several books written on the sugar addiction

Sugar is one of the main products that we consume on a daily basis in the twenty first century. However its important to acknowledge where sugar actually comes from and the process in which the Sugar conveniently appears in the nice paper packaging we’re lucky enough to find at our local super market. Sugar Cane is responsible for a storied past consisting of regretful practices such as the “middle passage” slave trade, to immense desire, to expansive distribution, to lucrative economical success which are still had to this day.