A Sweet, Sweet Addiction
By Diza Pandey
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According to the New York Times, no connection has been found between sugar and hyperactivity. Eat Right states, "The sugar-hyperactivity myth is based on a single study from the mid 1970's in which a doctor removed the sugar from one child's diet and that child's behavior improved. Since then, over a dozen larger studies have been conducted without proving sugar causes hyperactivity.”
Do sugar addictions exist? Photo by Diza Pandey.
Consumption of sugar can create a somewhat high feeling and a rush of energy in the body. People often enjoy dopamine, a chemical released into the brain that triggers happiness within a person. It has similar effects to sugar when released. When someone mentally connects sugar with energy, they may become dependent on it, usually inadvertently. Most people may begin to crave sugar to balance emotional lows, and other conditions. Eating foods high in added sugars throughout childhood links to the development of risk factors for heart disease.
The American Journal of Medicine states that currently no evidence exists that sugar leads to addiction. Although research in rodents has shown that rats under specific conditions develop addiction-like responses to sweet-tasting substances, these observations have not been conclusively confirmed in humans. In the animal experiments, rats had food withheld from them and only had sugar solutions given at specific times in the day rather than allowing them to feed according to their natural rhythm. Scientific research to date has not found any convincing behavioral or neurological indicators that resemble addiction to sugar in normal weight or in overweight individuals.
According to WebMD, even if sugar does not make kids hyperactive, they still suggest limiting sugar intake in children. Problems such as tooth decay and the fact that many high sugar foods remain high in calories and lack nutritional value should encourage less sugar intake . The American Heart Association recommends kids between 2 and 18 years old eat fewer than 6 tablespoons of added sugar a day and drink no more than 8 ounces of sugary drinks a week.
According to Healthline, both regular sugar and sugar alternatives can all fit into a healthy diet centered on fruits and vegetables. Whole fruits present the healthiest alternative to sugar, followed by dried fruits, as they contain added nutrients and fiber. Fruit juices, maple syrup, honey, and molasses prove marginally healthier as they contain some vitamins and minerals. Artificial sweeteners contain little to no calories and sugar and do not directly impact blood sugar, making them a good option for those looking to decrease their added sugar intake. They can also be helpful for those with type 2 diabetes that are struggling to reduce their sugar intake.
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