Why Is Sugar Addicting?

[Guest guest]

This is a question i've asked myself - why would our bodies become addicted to

such an unhealthy food? I found one persons response from paleohacks.com

" Sugar is a very concentrated source of energy, so as animals, we evolved to

find it attractive. We have biological responses to it that make it addictive

(the high and burst of energy that it gives can be pleasant). This wasn't a

problem when naturally-occurring sugar was difficult to find. However, it's a

nightmare now that our modern society has made it so the cheapest and easiest to

obtain foods are sugar-based. Our bodies weren't meant to handle it, yet those

biological urges still push us to eat it.

To make this worse, there are also cultural aspects to sugar that make it

appealing. We've grown up enjoying sugar as a celebration (think birthday cakes

for kids, pizza parties, candy as a reward, Hallowe'en, etc.) and there are

psychological barriers to overcome as well when kicking the sugar habit. "

Does this response have merit? It seems to make sense, but i'd wonder this

groups take on it.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

I think there is something in that , but I also feel that to a certain

extent it is because sugar has insidiously crept into the Western Diet without

people really being aware of it. It - and the starchy carbs have gone from

being an occasional treat - mother might bake on a Friday and cake would be

eaten over the weekend, or people would go to a 'tea-house' or cafe and have a

slice of cake with their tea once a week - to streamlining into everyday - and

often all-day, consumption.

I was watching a Tv prog recently about the cereal industry and how WK Kellogg

changed the face of breakfast when he added sugar to his brothers' flaked corn

cereal. It is now a billion-dollar business.

That, and the fact that unlike yesterday when children might have a penny, or a

few cents a week to spend on sweets - children and adults alike can now indulge

themselves whenever they like.

We have become a VERY self-indulgent society. People want what pleases them ALL

the time - and that is easy to prepare. There are young people out there who

wouldn't know one end of a saucepan from another! They are part of a growing

'open a packet an stuff it in' brigade.

There are also substances in the grains - and dairy - like the gluteomorphins in

wheat and the caseomorphins in dairy that are very addictive. Add those to the

sugars and you have a sure recipe for addiction. Their bodies also get used to

burning the sugars and go into 'withdrawal' when they are removed.

Ali.

>

> This is a question i've asked myself - why would our bodies become addicted to

such an unhealthy food? I found one persons response from paleohacks.com

>

> " Sugar is a very concentrated source of energy, so as animals, we evolved to

find it attractive. We have biological responses to it that make it addictive

(the high and burst of energy that it gives can be pleasant). This wasn't a

problem when naturally-occurring sugar was difficult to find. However, it's a

nightmare now that our modern society has made it so the cheapest and easiest to

obtain foods are sugar-based. Our bodies weren't meant to handle it, yet those

biological urges still push us to eat it.

>

> To make this worse, there are also cultural aspects to sugar that make it

appealing. We've grown up enjoying sugar as a celebration (think birthday cakes

for kids, pizza parties, candy as a reward, Hallowe'en, etc.) and there are

psychological barriers to overcome as well when kicking the sugar habit. "

>

> Does this response have merit? It seems to make sense, but i'd wonder this

groups take on it.

>

> Regards,

>

>

[Guest guest]

...I think there is more than one level of understanding for the sugar

addiction...you may find the explanation for why sugar is addicting in this

youtube video interesting. Bottom line...sugar eguals inflammation and endless

health issues for us.

I did well on Bee's program except for dairy which is also discussed in the

video. I also had to have less fat although I choose my fats carefully. The

greens and low carb veggies on Bee's diet are like " daily bread " for my body.

Kate

> This is a question i've asked myself - why would our bodies become addicted to

such an unhealthy food? I found one persons response from paleohacks.com

>

> " Sugar is a very concentrated source of energy, so as animals, we evolved to

find it attractive. We have biological responses to it that make it addictive

(the high and burst of energy that it gives can be pleasant). This wasn't a

problem when naturally-occurring sugar was difficult to find. However, it's a

nightmare now that our modern society has made it so the cheapest and easiest to

obtain foods are sugar-based. Our bodies weren't meant to handle it, yet those

biological urges still push us to eat it.

>

> To make this worse, there are also cultural aspects to sugar that make it

appealing. We've grown up enjoying sugar as a celebration (think birthday cakes

for kids, pizza parties, candy as a reward, Hallowe'en, etc.) and there are

psychological barriers to overcome as well when kicking the sugar habit. "

>

> Does this response have merit? It seems to make sense, but i'd wonder this

groups take on it.

>

> Regards,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the video link Kate. I love his presentation! Engaging.

Lise Sheehan

I am the beloved of God

and His desire is for me.

Sent from my iPhone

[Guest guest]

>

> ...I think there is more than one level of understanding for the sugar

addiction...you may find the explanation for why sugar is addicting in this

youtube video interesting. Bottom line...sugar eguals inflammation and endless

health issues for us.

>

>

>

> I did well on Bee's program except for dairy which is also discussed in the

video. I also had to have less fat although I choose my fats carefully. The

greens and low carb veggies on Bee's diet are like " daily bread " for my body.

>

> Kate

@@ Snip

@@ Hi Everyone,

& Ali , I think you both have a fair idea of why the sugar addiction and

Kate I have not look at you submitted YouTube reference. But I will, thanks.

Nonetheless, here is some supplemental info to briefly summarize the mechanics

of it all. Sugar and the taste of sweet stimulate the brain by activating beta

endorphin receptor sites.

The studies have been done they are well aware of its powerful influences , see

here.

In 2008, Avena published data[4] stating that sugar affects opioids and

dopamine in the brain, and thus might be expected to have addictive potential.

She references " Binging, " " withdrawal, " craving " and " cross-sensitization " are

each given operational definitions and demonstrated behaviorally with sugar

bingeing as the reinforcer. These behaviors are then related to neurochemical

changes in the brain that also occur with addictive drugs.

Its basically the most innocent looking, addictive drug known to man.

Thus, dopamine and endorphins are the " feel good " brain chemicals. Once your

blood-sugar levels drop (about an hour or two later), you're left feeling

drained and out of sorts.You become an addict looking for another hit. Its that

simple and the food industry knows it and that's why its in almost all processed

food including some pharmaceuticals.

Best in Health,

Ed

group moderator