Is Sugar More Addictive Than Cocaine?

Ooey, happy, good in the form of cinnamon bread. In the south, there are 5 packages in some ice tea. Some or two or ten skittles or M&M.

Sugar. Anywhere. In everything.

And it's a deadly addiction. In fact, it's more addictive than cocaine. A 2009 study by Dr. Serge H. Ahmed, Is Sugar Addictive as Cocaine ?, published in the journal Food and Addiction, proves that sugar is eight times as addictive as cocaine. The findings suggest that sugar creates cravings and rewards and is like an addictive drug. High in sugar, high glycemic foods are as addictive as cocaine and heroin, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Foods with a high glycemic index trigger part of the brain, known as the brain center of pleasure. When activated, this fun center makes us feel better about what makes us feel good. And when the fun comes from sugar, the sugar we want. According to Dr. Mark Hyman, "Food that stimulates blood sugar is a biological addiction."

Why do you have to care?

That pudgy stomach? It's there because your body stores excess calories as belly fat. We were designed to carry the warehouses with us to provide us with fuel when food was in short supply. The problem for most of us is that we don't have to go without food, so the warehouse isn't used.

Chances are you are one of 70% of Americans who are overweight or obese. And your sugar addiction is triggering your problem. Why would I say a problem? Weight loss and obesity are major contributors to chronic diseases such as stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease and even cancer.

If sugar and eating too much is bad for us, why don't we have a natural defense against them? Our bodies are divinely made and beautiful and we have a defense against this addiction. However, the defense was damaged by sugar and processed foods. Eating too much sugar through processed foods, adding sugars and carbohydrates will cause your body to lose too much insulin. Your body will lose its sensitivity to insulin and your cells will not absorb excess sugar from your blood. You will have excess sugar floating around your bloodstream and as a result, it can eradicate chronic disease.

Are you addicted to sugar? These talk marks can give you a hint that you are:

You crave sugar and carbohydrates
You have trouble losing weight on a low-fat diet
You eat when you're not hungry
You're slow from eating
You have High Blood Pressure or High Blood Sugar
You become easily agitated
You can't sleep
You experience withdrawal when you don't eat sugar
You're hiding food
You snack in secret
You hide your feelings about food

There is help. You can learn new habits and make changes to overcome your addiction to sugar. Not always, but the benefits of a lifetime are worth it!

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