How does sugar affect the psyche? Important information from scientists
'03.09.2017'
Source: The Guardian
Experts from the St. Luke Heart Institute (Kansas City), together with scientists from the non-profit organization Lahey Health, released data on the effects of sugar on the psyche and human health. The Guardian.
According to experts, the degree of human dependence on sugar-containing products, as well as how much glucose affects health both in the short and long term, gives the right to equate this product to narcotic drugs.
Scientists conducted a study on rodents, who were offered two types of substances - sugar and cocaine. Despite the fact that the latter is a confirmed drug that is prohibited to use and is very addictive, the experimental animals preferred ... sugar.
Experts have concluded that sugar-containing foods are more addictive than real drugs. Sugar encourages eating even more sweets, evokes a vivid sense of pleasure and satisfaction, affects mood, stimulates a sense of reward, prompting a person to go in search of the next portion. Opinions are divided on the withdrawal syndrome: some scientists believe that giving up sweets does not affect the body at all, others are convinced that psychological withdrawal is still present.
Not everyone agrees with the conclusions of the experts. For example, one of the opponents, a doctor at the University of Cambridge, Hisham Ziuddin, is sure that animals were simply not given sweets for a long time - according to him, if you always have sweets freely available, addiction will not develop.
