Is Sugar as Addictive as Drugs? The Not-So-Sweet Side of Sugar

Oh, glorious sugar! If you have ever remarked how addicted to sweets you are, you might not be exaggerating as much as you thought. An article published in the international research journal PLOS ONE reported that prolonged or binge intake of sugar changes the function of the Nucleus Accumbens Shell, the part of the brain that processes feelings of pleasure and positive reinforcement. Reactions in the Nucleus Accumbens like this are also seen in drug and alcohol addiction.

Dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with motivation and pleasure, also plays a role in addiction. Rats given the opportunity to binge on sugar water experienced brain surges of dopamine just like a drug addict. Similar to drug addiction, being deprived of sugar left the rats with drops in dopamine that would result in cravings for sugar. Interestingly, rats given non-nutritive sweeteners like saccharin also had similar brain changes indicating that artificial sweeteners shouldn’t be used to help with sugar addiction.

The Not-So Sweet Side of Sugar

Though it might taste good, there is a not-so-sweet side to sugar. Americans are among the largest consumers of sugar in the world, each of us averaging an intake of about 66 pounds of the white stuff each year. Is it a coincidence one-in-three Americans is overweight or obese? Researchers blame sugar, at least in part, for the rising obesity epidemic in America. Sugar also increases inflammation which is at the root of all diseases.

Time to Quit Sugar

The good news is you don’t have to give sugar “cold-turkey”. Eating according to the Five Rules of The Leptin Diet will eventually restore fitness to your blood sugar system, and you will be able to go many hours without excess cravings. To get you started, nutrition can help you to overcome your cravings for sweets between meals. If sweets are always your downfall and you are hoping to drop a few pounds before summer, these nutrients will help.

1. Chromium & Vanadium – Generally we eat to acquire energy and feelings of satisfaction. If a person has insulin resistance or difficulty metabolizing calories, he or she will have to eat larger portions of food to feel satisfied and receive full signals. Chromium and vanadium are used in part of the natural transport system of glucose into cells, supporting healthy insulin function. Chromium and vanadium work together as team players to help the glucose-transport system. When this system is working efficiently, it helps prevent cravings for sugar and carbohydrates.

2. Bitter Herbs – A huge problem for your metabolism is the desire for the sweet taste. This is one reason why artificial sweeteners don’t help you break a sugar addiction. There are leptin receptors on the tongue that respond to sweet tastes. When a person isn’t getting adequate sweetness in the diet anymore, an unsatisfied feeling and cravings can result. Inula racemose and Gymnema sylvestre are bitter herbs known as “sugar busters”. They reduce the desire for sweet tasting food and help to normalize the taste system. They can be used as a powerful tool to help you overcome your sugar addiction.

3. Pine Nut Oil – Pine nut oil is a powerful tool for overcoming cravings and increasing feelings of fullness. Studies show that supplementing with 3 grams of pine nut oil reduces appetite within half an hour by boosting the important “full signals” cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1), resulting in a 29 percent decreased desire to eat. Additionally, pine nut oil boasts benefits of helping to soothe an inflamed digestive tract and increase energy.

4. Banaba Leaf – Banaba is a traditional herbal remedy used for treating diabetes. Modern science has built a strong body of evidence to show it can reduce blood sugar without side effects. Banaba helps the glucose transporter proteins, especially GLUT4, which is active in fat cells and muscle cells. In other words, it helps increase insulin sensitivity of cells in insulin resistant individuals. By improving entry of glucose into cells, banaba helps leptin problems and food cravings that are typical in overweight individuals with elevated blood sugar.

5. Fiber – Numerous studies show the importance of getting adequate soluble fiber for digestion, weight management and healthy blood sugar metabolism. Soluble fiber slows down the rate that food is absorbed, promoting a more balanced blood sugar response to a meal. More stable blood sugar means less cravings for sweets and carbohydrates. Taking a soluble fiber supplement half an hour before your largest meals will help you feel more satisfied with less food, helping to balance your leptin function.

There are so many reasons to avoid sugar. As science is showing, however, avoiding the sweet stuff is easier said than done. In fact, studies are indicating it is addicting. Thanks to nutrition, you don’t have to cut sugar out “cold turkey”, though. Use these nutrients to help you resist your cravings for sugar and improve metabolism. Feel the difference when you kiss sugar good-bye!