Addicted to Sugar - Is It Possible?

Posted by fernando in

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You hear people talking about "sugar addiction" frequently, but is it really possible to be addicted to sugar in the same way that you can become addicted to drugs or alcohol? There is still some debate about whether sugar fits neatly into the category of addictive substance, but if you look closely at the definition of "addiction", the issue becomes a little clearer:

One definition of addiction is: a compulsive need for and dependence upon a habit-forming substance, accompanied by clearly defined symptoms upon withdrawal.

Anyone who has ever tried to reduce their sugar intake can attest to the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that ensue. The question is whether sugar can be considered a "habit-forming substance" - that's the point upon which experts are still debating.

Semantics aside, there is a secondary definition of addiction, and that is: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful.

We know that ingesting large amounts of sugar is harmful. Dozens of studies have clearly shown the detrimental impact that white, refined sugar has upon our bodies - yet some of us compulsively ingest more of it than we should. You are free to draw your own conclusions, but to me that's a clear sign of an addiction.

You may be ingesting too much sugar if you experience any of these symptoms:

- Nervousness and excitability

After eating or drinking something sweet, do you experience a "high" that makes you feel jittery, euphoric, restless or jumpy? Children especially seem to be sensitive to the mood-altering effects of sugar, but many adults are too.

- Trouble concentrating

When you first consume sugar, you may feel an added boost of alertness, but that quickly fades as the inevitable "crash" sets in (when your blood sugar levels begin to drop again), and that usually leaves you feeling tired, cloudy, and spacey.

- Fatigue

Eating large quantities of sugar creates a constant up-and-down roller coaster effect on your blood sugar levels, which makes your body work harder to maintain equilibrium. Over time, this constant taxing of the body's resources becomes draining and contributes to ongoing fatigue.

When it comes right down to it, whether or not sugar can be classified as an addictive substance doesn't really matter - if you are eating more sugar than is healthy for you, it's wise to do what you can to reduce your intake and adopt a healthier lifestyle.