Can sugar really be addictive? A nutrition expert explains
Can sugar cause addiction? (photo: Magnific)
Sugar has long been an integral part of the diets of millions of people and is often referred to as a food drug. But can a craving for sweets really develop into a true addiction? Pharmacist and health coach Yana Ukrainska discussed this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Can sugar cause addiction?
According to the expert, only a psychological dependence on sugar can develop, as it acts as a form of reward.
"It's more about emotional dependence, a quick dopamine and serotonin boost to relax and catch your breath after a hard day. Or, during a difficult day, grabbing a chocolate bar with a cup of coffee to switch gears," she explained.
In addition, people naturally like sweet tastes. As the nutritionist explained, this is genetically determined, "because mother's milk has a slightly sweet taste."
Moreover, in the past, sweet foods such as wild honey were difficult to obtain. As a result, cravings for sweets are associated with something forbidden but special. Today, however, sugary foods are easily accessible.
Should you choose plant-based sweeteners?
Ukrainska said that sweeteners are divided into plant-based and synthetic varieties. Stevia is made from stevia leaves and is a natural sweetener and sugar substitute. It also does not raise blood glucose levels.
All sweeteners have a zero glycemic index, so blood glucose does not respond to them. This is important for people with diabetes.
"People often think that if a dessert doesn't contain sugar, they can eat an unlimited amount of it. There shouldn't be that distinction. It doesn't mean you eat an entire sugar-free chocolate bar at once, while eating only a small amount of one with sugar. We still have to remember about balance," the health coach said.
According to the expert, there are some observations that synthetic sweeteners may "trigger" insulin in people with insulin resistance, meaning it may be released. However, this occurs only to a small extent.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
