Sugar Addiction

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Avatar for Gwenie
Written by
4 years ago

Sweet treats. I guess many people can relate to this. Many people eat sweets especially when feeling stressed. They find comfort in sugary foods like cakes, milk teas, chocolates, soft drinks, and many more. These foods are really hard to resist. But why do people get addicted to sweets? Can we really call this addiction? Let's find out.

To understand this better, let's define some terms first.

  • Dopamine - A chemical messenger (hormone) responsible for controlling the brain's pleasure and reward centers.

  • Mesolimbic Dopamine System - Also known as mesolimbic pathway. This is a pathway within the brain in which dopamine is carried from one area to another.

The brain's reward system.

Sugary foods are highly desirable due to the powerful impact of sugar on the rewards system of the brain, called the mesolimbic pathway. This is where the neurons release dopamine in response to a rewarding event. Normally, this system is activated by natural rewards and behaviors such as eating tasty foods, achieving something, or interacting socially. Activating this system will make you want to carry out the behavior again because it feels good.

According to the experts, excessive consumption of sugar can lead to some problems similar to substance addiction. So it appears that sugar may have addictive qualities.

Symptoms of Sugar Addiction

You always crave sweets. This is the most common sign of sugar addiction. You crave for sugary foods even when you're not physically hungry.

You hide your sugar habit. Some people may recognize that they're eating too much. But instead of finding ways to stop it, they hide it.

You need more to satisfy your craving. Like with many addictive substances, your tolerance to sweets may build in the long run. This results in taking more and more to satisfy your cravings.

You crave salty foods. This can also be a sign because when you regularly eat sweet foods, you're probably not getting enough proteins and fats that your body needs. Craving for salty food might be a way that your body is telling you to take a break and eat something healthier.

You use sugar to soothe. This is when you continuously turn to sugar as a means to cope with stress, boredom, and other psychological issues like anxiety and depression.

How sugar addiction negatively affects the body.

Increased fat storage. The human body is designed to store fat in times of starvation as a means to survive. The excess sugar you consume is converted to fat. The body will continue to do this and it is capable of storing endless amounts of fats. Excess body fat is associated with cancer, heart disease, and other health conditions.

Reduced immune system. High sugar consumption can have multiple impacts on the immune system. It can prevent you from getting enough sleep at night as well as increase inflammation. A constant state of inflammation can destroy our tissues and it can lead to more serious disease like cancer.

Insulin resistance. The body releases insulin in response to sugar in your blood. As the day goes on, your body becomes less sensitive to insulin and you become insulin resistant. Which is associated with type two diabetes and obesity.

Amputation. In the setting of type two diabetes, there is a chance that your peripheral areas stop receiving an adequate amount of blood. When blood supply reduces to areas like the legs and feet, your cells can die and cause infections. When this occurs, an amputation may be needed.

Ways to stop sugar cravings

Give a little. Eat just a bit of what you are craving.

Combine foods. Try to combine nutritious foods to the food you crave.

Grab some gum. Research proved that chewing gum can reduce food cravings.

Reach for fruit. Keep fruit handy for when your sugar cravings hit, you can reach them instead of reaching for sugary foods.

Choose quality over quantity. If you need sugar splurge, learn to incorporate small in your diet but concentrate on less sugary and healthier options.

Eat regularly. Avoid irrational eating behavior. Waiting too long between meals may set you up to sugary foods to cut your hunger.

Get support. If your emotions are involved in your sugar cravings, try to ask for help to find another solutions for your emotional problems.

The informations presented here are guides on what sugar addiction is and how it affects your health. But please note that every situation may vary per person.

Lead image is from Unsplash.

Thank you for reading. 💕

-Gwenie

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Written by
4 years ago

Comments

I like sweet food , but only little amount, to avoid of having diabetes.

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4 years ago

Good thing that you can control you sugar intake sis. 💓

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4 years ago

Yes I really need lol.. I don't one to suffer in future. Eat moderately even it's sweet or salty.

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4 years ago

Like seriously

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4 years ago

Uhm, yeah. 😅 Sugar is not bad because our body needs it too. But too much sugar is not good for our health.

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4 years ago

Great Article now Im aware

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4 years ago

Thank you. :)

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4 years ago

Sweets are one of my comfort food. I guess I have to find another source ahaha

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4 years ago

IFY sis. 😂 We need to control it now. Not totally cutting the sweets but we need to control our intake. 😁

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4 years ago

nah, it cutting it off.

charot!!

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4 years ago

Ang hirap din kasi talaga. 😂😂

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4 years ago

I use every week 3kg sugar. 🐇🐇🐇

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4 years ago

😮😮 Do you bake or somehow sell something sweet? 😅

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4 years ago

I drink to much coffe.

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4 years ago

I am not a fan of sweets or chocolates. I usually like spicy food only 😂. The only sweet I love is ice cream

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4 years ago

Wow. Good for you. You're safe then. 😂 Unlike me, I'm also guilty of this sugar addiction thing. 😂

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4 years ago

Haha. I don’t like to point fingers but I feel that ladies usually like to eat more sweets then guys. Just a personal observation 😜

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4 years ago

Well, I'm guilty. 🤪🤪

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4 years ago

well at least you accept it😂.

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4 years ago

May I ask, which book or website did you refer to regarding all the information you shared?

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4 years ago

webmd.com, addictioncenter.com, healthline.com. :)

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4 years ago

I cannot follow your sources but I felt that there is something missing. I suggest that next time you write an article based on medical research, you better include the direct links to your research so that others can read the rest of the study themselves. Sharing medical information and knowledge is not an easy task to do. You have got to have your based evidence and references, preferrable the latest one with comparison to other journals.

In the medical aspect, the wrong information can cause the worst things to happen. I am not saying that you are doing the wrong things. I am just sharing my opinions and because I also work inside medical fields (I am not a doctor) this kind of articles stimulates my brain to search for more evidence and references.

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4 years ago

Noted. :) I'll do this next time. I appreciate your suggestion and I think it is really best to include the links. Thanks for the suggestion. :)

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4 years ago

The direct link and proper citation next time. Thank you.

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4 years ago

This is my father. addict sa asukal naman siya. Tipong kape kulang nalang ibuhos ang isang buong asukal na nakalagay sa maliit na lalagyan.

Too much sugar will kill you indeed. Parang siya nasubrahan nagsawa ayun ng ewan 😔😔😔

Di mabawalan kaya naiistress ako. Nag ddrama nako di parin ako pinapansin.

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4 years ago

Diabetic ba sis? Once kasi n diabetic na, juskohin, komplikasyon talaga ang bagsak madalas. Kumusta n pala sya sis? Nakalabas na ng hospital?

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4 years ago

The main reason why people eat sweet things because we learn them to eat and like it. All fabricated food contains a high amount of sugar and extras to make people eat more and keep eating. People eat less if they have to prepare it themselves. Chocolate is not eaten because of the sugar but for a different reason and it does make you feel happy. If you love sugar you can eat fruit. It contains a lot of sugar. How come people do not grab grapes instead of a piece of pie if the statements about sugar are true?

A sugar addiction can be a symptom of an illness too

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4 years ago

You're right sis. Fabricated foods are also more easily accessible than those of healthier one. One of the reason why people become dependent on in. I also think that when it's a trend, people would really want to try it too. Like milk teas.

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4 years ago

Very informative article. I really love sweets too but not too much but because to much sweets can cause negative effects to your health. Sweets can boost your body too like when your reviewing a lesson because tomorrow is quiz day but you feel sleepy. Just eat chocolates and your mind will be active too. Too much sweetness can cause memory gap like you always forget something. It can cause a toothache too that's very common to children. Stay healthy and stay safe.

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4 years ago

I agree. Sweets can really be helpful and our body needs it too. We just have to take the right amount. Stay safe too. 💕

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4 years ago

Here are a few ways you can begin to condition your palette to prefer less sweet.

  1. The Coffee Experiment. If like me, you put loads of sugar in your coffee (or tea), you can use this as an opportunity to begin to train your palate to prefer less. How many packets or teaspoons of sugar/sweetener do you use? Subtract one. The coffee won’t taste quite as sweet but continue to drink it this way for two to three weeks, or until you get used to it. Once you are used to this level of sweetness, cut back by one more, and just keep repeating the process until you are down to only one packet (or none). The key here is to cut back a little at a time, only cutting out more when you are used to the new level of sweetness. I am happy to report that I’m down to two packets. Taking a sip from coffee with five packets now seems way too sweet for me. It took me a while but I got there. Some people prefer to go cold turkey. If you can do this, great, but for many people, it will be unpleasant and will drive them back to their previous habit. Here are a few ways you can begin to condition your palette to prefer less sweet.

  2. The Coffee Experiment. If like me, you put loads of sugar in your coffee (or tea), you can use this as an opportunity to begin to train your palate to prefer less. How many packets or teaspoons of sugar/sweetener do you use? Subtract one. The coffee won’t taste quite as sweet but continue to drink it this way for two to three weeks, or until you get used to it. Once you are used to this level of sweetness, cut back by one more, and just keep repeating the process until you are down to only one packet (or none). The key here is to cut back a little at a time, only cutting out more when you are used to the new level of sweetness. I am happy to report that I’m down to two packets. Taking a sip from coffee with five packets now seems way too sweet for me. It took me a while but I got there. Some people prefer to go cold turkey. If you can do this, great, but for many people, it will be unpleasant and will drive them back to their previous habit.

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4 years ago

Wow. You've mentioned many additional informations. Thank you for these. I hope those who read my article can read these too. I am also happy for you that you've succeeded in cutting the amount of your sugar intake. 💕

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4 years ago
  1. Snack Swap. The same concept applies to sweet snacks. Figure out how many grams of sugar are in your typical snack (yogurt or granola bar, for example). Find similar options that have fewer grams of sugar. For example, a Kashi granola bar has less sugar than Quaker. Again, beware of artificial sweeteners in lower sugar versions (yogurt). These may actually taste even sweeter than real sugar versions even though they have fewer grams of sugar. This will increase your desire for sweetness not reduce it. You might also begin to include some snacks that are not sweet at all (almonds, cheese, and hummus) so that you get used unsweetened snacks.
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4 years ago
  1. Happy Hour. Cocktails contain a high amount of sugar, to take the edge off the strong taste of hard liquor. Avoid cocktail mixes (sour mix, margarita mix) and instead use fresh fruit (squeezed or muddled) to mix in with no added sugar. You will get the natural fruit flavor but with less intense sweetness. By being less sweet, you will drink more slowly and probably drink less.

  2. Don't Have Your Cake And Eat It Too, Much. Reduce the number of days that you have something sweet after a meal so that you stop craving sweet directly after eating. For example, if you are used to a sweet after dinner five days a week, then reduce this to four, then three, and over time just do it on special occasions. Choose low sugar desserts too. Fresh fruit with a dollop of whipped cream is a good choice. Also, it is important to undo the habit of ordering desserts in a restaurant every time you go. Do this only on occasion. Restaurant desserts are packed with sugar and calories.

  3. Who Put Sugar in My Bread? There is a scene in the movie The Breakfast Club where Ally Sheedy takes the lunchmeat out of her sandwich and then empties pixie sticks onto the bread after sprinkling it with Cap'n Crunch cereal. Even a sugar addict like me feels like this is going too far. However, bread companies have attached themselves to this idea because they empty pixie sticks worth of sugar into their bread dough. Many loaves are made with an astonishing amount of high fructose corn syrup or other forms of sugar. In the nutrition information, look at the grams of sugar across various brands of bread and select one that is low. In general, check the sugar content of other foods that aren’t really supposed to be sweet. Choose brands that do not add sugar or artificial sweeteners.

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4 years ago

I also love sweets especially the chocolates, ice cream and cake. And sometime I can't stop myself of eating sweets because I crave for it.

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4 years ago

Same sis. Also milk teas. 😅 But I guess we really need to control it now, before it's too late. 😅

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4 years ago

I feel gulity. I am a fan of sweets. I used to eat sweets even if im not stress. I love pastries, milk tea and chocolates.

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User's avatar Yen
4 years ago

Same sis. Ang hirap controlin ang craving for sweets foods. 😅

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4 years ago

kaya nga hahaha. lalo for us girls

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User's avatar Yen
4 years ago

True. 😂 Nakakahiya man aminin, pero in my case, addiction n talaga sya. 😅

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4 years ago

Whoa! I'm now aware of it but I don't think I can stop or reduce eating sugary food😁. Without eating any chocolate products I feel weak and I don't know why.😅

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4 years ago

Haha. Nasanay na kasi katawan mommy kaya hinahanap hanap na 😁😂

PS. Ubos na english ko. 😂

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4 years ago

Hahaha jusko 24 hours b namam babad sa English San pupunta kundi madrain

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4 years ago

I love sugary foodss huhu but this is helpful

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4 years ago

Me too. I love sweets and I find it hard to control my sugar cravings.

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4 years ago

This message is very useful for those who are addicted to sugar /sugary foods. It is helpful if they can make use of the advise.

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4 years ago

Thank you. :) This is why I posted this. For awareness. :)

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4 years ago

I like sweets n this is a nice n helpful article, miss gwenie :)

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4 years ago

Thank you miss bheng. 💕

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4 years ago

Welcome po :)

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4 years ago

Im like sweet and sugar but the cost of body is diabetis.

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4 years ago

Yes. Sugary foods can really cause diabetes.

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4 years ago

I love suger so much. Everyday, I need sweet after my lunch and dinner.

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4 years ago

I too love sugary foods. I think a little consumption is not bad since our body needs it too. What damages our health is if we consume too much. :)

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4 years ago

Yeap. But I eat not so much.☺

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4 years ago

That's good to know. Stay healthy and safe. 💕

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4 years ago

Yeap, u also.☺

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4 years ago

Sadly though, most of sugar is stored as fat in our boddies. Even though I can control myself in a diet, I do not want to resist my appetite since the beginning of the pandemic 😑 Thanks for such a nice post @Gwenie

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4 years ago

You're welcome. :) Maybe it is one of your ways to cope up with everything that's happening due to this pandemic.

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4 years ago

I got addiction in coffee since it was putted a lot of sugar

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4 years ago