Such sweet nothings?: Research says sugar cravings are not real

Almost everyone has sneaked into the fridge to get a midnight sweet snack because we were “craving” it. Sugar cravings feel so real that people describe them as being physical.

Previous research had also pointed out that sugar gives a chemical hit to the brain which is similar to drugs. A few recent pieces of research have, however, turned the tables. As it turns out, there is no evidence of sugar being addictive and the cravings are all in your head.

What did the previous research say?

Until recently, the research on sugar addiction has been showing that sugar activates dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which when secreted produces feelings of happiness, bliss, joy and motivation. It should be kept in mind that drugs like cocaine also activates the same hormone. The research concluded that both cocaine and sugar create a reward system where the intake of the substance gives a rush of dopamine-the pleasure hormone.

According to this conclusion, the brain should then crave sugar once the dopamine level goes down and hence sugar should be addictive. The proof of this theory came from a study which was performed on rats. The results of the study showed that rats can become sugar dependent. Their opioid receptor ability and dopamine levels are especially disturbed with increasing intake.

They also show bingeing behavior once they get addicted. Proper withdrawal symptoms were also seen among rats.

What is the new evidence suggesting?

A study published in 2016, set the new theory in motion. The new theory is that sugar addiction is psychological. The evidence also emphasizing upon the fact that even though addictive, sugar cravings are not comparable to cocaine addiction. The 2016 study revisited all the previous research and reached some important conclusions.

The first premise which supports the new theory is that all the previous research is animal based. Human physiology is different from that of a rat although similar is not exactly alike to that of a rat. Another flaw pointed out in previous experiments is that rats were fed direct sugar. Humans rarely take sugar in isolation and usually consume them in the form of other foods.

Lastly, it is a fact that sugar releases dopamine in the brain like cocaine but there is a big difference. Sugar stimulated dopamine hits a peak initially when the sugar is consumed but comes back to base level soon enough.

The dopamine levels stay at the base level even if sugar consumption continues. Cocaine keeps on increasing the dopamine level making the person crave it more and more after each hit. The conclusion thus boils down to the fact that there is no biological evidence of sugar addiction. It is all psychological.

What do we learn from this?

Sugar addiction as previously believed played a big role in perpetuating obesity. A poor country like Pakistan has more than 50% obesity rate. Increasing obesity has also enhanced the burden of other diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The new research suggests that controlling obesity is a matter of willpower and mental strength. This is excellent news for all obese people around the world and in Pakistan.

My name is Usman and I am working with oladoc.com— Pakistan’s premier digital health company. Using oladoc, you can find a top diabetologist in Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, and seek appointment online.