This will come as no surprise. Sugar is addictive. What may startle you is that according to a study by James Cook University refined sugar is more addictive than cocaine – one of the most addictive and harmful substances currently known.
An astonishing 94% of the rats who were allowed to choose between sugar water and cocaine, chose sugar. Even those who were addicted to cocaine switched their preference to sugar, once it was offered as a choice.
The intense euphoria from sugar is a powerful driving force because it encourages the body to release feel good chemicals. The body likes it and wants more. The problem is that over the last 20 years the amount of sugar Americans consume yearly has soared from 26 pounds per person to more than 135 pounds per person.
The desire for sweetness evolved in ancestral times when the diet was very low in sugar. Our bodies were not created to sustain this overload and we are seeing symptoms in people of all ages, race and gender whose lives are being destroyed by it.
Sugar addiction is serious, but the habit can be broken with emotional support, healthier food choices and regular exercise. As with any addiction, you will feel worse before you feel better. Be kind to yourself. You’re doing this for the long haul because you’re worth it.
