SUGAR: IS IT REALLY THAT SWEET?

Does sugar cause addiction & if so, does sugar addiction cause obesity?

Krysta McGinnis

SUGAR ADDICTION

Research has revealed that sugar and sweet treats can, not only substitute for addictive drugs but can even be more rewarding and attractive

Food can release endorphins & the “feel-good” neurotransmitter that can temporarily relieve emotional discomfort, anxiety, and depression

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE?

Drugs act on brain systems evolved to reinforce natural behaviors

DOPAMINE

D2Cocain

e

Heroin

Meth

Alcohol

DOPAMINE D2 LEVELS DECREASED IN AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A HIGHER BMI -

BMI: 23 BMI: 30

WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS

Sugar has found to cause withdrawal symptoms like addictive drugs cause

Symptoms include: Moodiness Anxiety Anger outbursts Weepiness Headaches Shakiness Intense hunger and/or cravings

TESTED WITH RATS TO DETERMINE EXTRACELLULAR DA AND ACH IN THE NAC

Maintained on one of 4 diets: 1. Daily Intermittent Sucrose + Chow 2. Daily Intermittent Chow 3. Daily Ad libitum Sucrose + Chow 4. Sucrose Twice

Microdialysis performed on Days 1, 2 and 21

Withdrawal signs shown when fasting or given an opioid antagonist

Research concluded: Tolerance of sucrose increased Signs of withdrawal were shown Consumed more than intended Neurochemical changes in the NAc Cross-sensitization Prolictivity to consume other drugs of abuse

EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE SUGAR

Sugar disturbs metabolism

Increases risk of developing: High blood pressure Elevated blood triglycerides Heart disease Obesity Inflammation

DOES EXCESS SUGAR CAUSE OBESITY?

Research has shown that sugar doesn’t cause obesity

Sugar addiction is linked to obesity The cause is the increase in caloric foods – many

foods high in sugar are also high in calories

The causes of obesity are complex & specific to the individual

Rat research concluded: Sugar binging didn’t result in an increase in weight Sweet-fat binging rats were hyperphagic

Increased in body weight

LEPTIN

Biochemical negative feedback mechanism Allows humans to prevent caloric excess

In obesity, leptin is defective

Occurs through two mechanisms. 1. Leptin transported across the blood-brain

barrier is impaired 2. Central leptin signal transduction is impaired

in two locations

HOW MUCH SUGAR DO YOU CONSUME?

The average American consumes 152 pounds of sugar per year. This equals 42.5 teaspoons/day! 350 extra calories/day

Determining sugar intake:

39 grams of sugar/4 grams =9.75 teaspoons

1 gram of sugar = 4 calories

ADDED SUGAR CALORIE ALLOWANCE

The American Heart Association recommends limiting the amount of added sugar daily Women: 100 calories per day

Men: 150 calories per day

NATURAL SUGARS VS. ADDED SUGARS

Natural sugars: found “naturally” occurring in foods

Added sugars: any sugars or caloric sweeteners added to food/beverages during processing or preparation

Food makers can also use sweeteners that aren’t technically sugar, but these other sweeteners are in fact forms of added sugar.

INGREDIENTS TO LOOK FOR -

Sugar Lactose Maltose Dextrose Fructose Sorbitol Honey Brown Sugar Corn Sweetener Corn syrup Molasses Sorghum Syrup

Agave Nectar Cane crystals Cane sugar Evaporate can juice Fruit juice concentrates Glucose Malt syrup Maple syrup Raw sugar Syrup Invert sugar Crystalline fructose

Sugar comes in many different forms

KELLO

GG

’S S

MA

RT S

TA

RT H

EA

LTH

Y H

EA

RT C

ER

EA

L

How Much

Sugar

is in your

Greek Yogurt?

28 grams = 7 teaspoons

SUGAR ADDICTION

QUIZ

ARE YOU ADDICTED TO SUGAR?

HOW TO BEAT SUGAR ADDICTION

#1: Stop eating addictive foods Decrease/remove sweetened beverages Separate dessert from meals

#2: Maintain nutritional balance Revamp breakfast Enjoy healthy snacks

#3: Read food labels & ingredient lists Remove sources of hidden sugar from house

As healthy food plans are established, healing begins and the rebalance of brain chemistry

BIBLIOGRAPHY http://foodaddictioninstitute.org/scientific-research/physical-

craving-and-food-addiction-a-scientific-review/?doing_wp_cron=1406056625.6964321136474609375000

http://plentyofthymecookbook.blogspot.com/2011/12/kelloggs-smart-start-my-ass.html

http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/dphs/nhp/adults/documents/sugar.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2831667/ http://

ezproxy.nwmissouri.edu:2129/pmc/articles/PMC3257837/pdf/fnene-03-00011.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3195115/ http://

www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/medicalschool/departments/psychiatry/Research/DPRG/Documents/Nicole_Avena.pdf

http://www.foodaddictionsummit.org/docs/Hoebel-sugaraddiction.pdf

http://www.foodaddictionsummit.org/docs/Hoebel-sugaraddiction.pdf