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Sugar addiction: the state of the science.

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Westwater, Margaret L 
Fletcher, Paul C 

Abstract

PURPOSE: As obesity rates continue to climb, the notion that overconsumption reflects an underlying 'food addiction' (FA) has become increasingly influential. An increasingly popular theory is that sugar acts as an addictive agent, eliciting neurobiological changes similar to those seen in drug addiction. In this paper, we review the evidence in support of sugar addiction. METHODS: We reviewed the literature on food and sugar addiction and considered the evidence suggesting the addictiveness of highly processed foods, particularly those with high sugar content. We then examined the addictive potential of sugar by contrasting evidence from the animal and human neuroscience literature on drug and sugar addiction. RESULTS: We find little evidence to support sugar addiction in humans, and findings from the animal literature suggest that addiction-like behaviours, such as bingeing, occur only in the context of intermittent access to sugar. These behaviours likely arise from intermittent access to sweet tasting or highly palatable foods, not the neurochemical effects of sugar. CONCLUSION: Given the lack of evidence supporting it, we argue against a premature incorporation of sugar addiction into the scientific literature and public policy recommendations.

Description

Keywords

Animal neuroscience, Binge eating, Drug addiction, Obesity, Sugar addiction, Animals, Behavior, Addictive, Binge-Eating Disorder, Dietary Fats, Dietary Sucrose, Disease Models, Animal, Food, Glycemic Index, Glycemic Load, Humans, Motivation, Obesity, Receptors, Dopamine D2, Substance-Related Disorders

Journal Title

Eur J Nutr

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1436-6207
1436-6215

Volume Title

55

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Sponsorship
Wellcome Trust (093875/Z/10/Z)
Medical Research Council (MC_UU_12012/5)
Medical Research Council (MC_PC_12012)
Wellcome Trust (Senior Fellowship award)