Fight the Sugar Addiction
Options
BeHappy2
Posts: 15 Member
Replies
-
More media hype and fearmongering. Sugar is not addictive. But it makes for good clickbait, which is what publications like that are after.15
-
A Huffington Post article? Seriously?
Next time try something at least halfway credible if you want to be taken seriously.
6 -
Unless you've given a handy for some candy, you aren't addicted to sugar.16
-
While I'd also never consider the huff-post the bastion of sound-science ... It's important to remember that 2500 years ago they said the world was flat. 40 years ago they claimed nicotine wasn't addictive.
It's only been a couple decades that we've really researched food or sugar addictions. Especially with sugar the research is in its infancy.
And yes, although there's not yet what we'd call a preponderance of undeniable evidence as to sugar or carbohydrate addiction, there's enough evidence that the DSM-V now recognizes food as addictive, has a heading on 'binge-eating disorder', includes new behavioural disorders it didn't previously, etc. This was because more-and-more research is showing support for the idea, as well as many, many people in the addictions-counseling field pushing for the discussion and inclusion.
I'd technically classify it as a behavioural addiction rather than a substance-use one - and there certainly seems to be an individual component that doesn't seem to fit everyone ... but to completely deny it's existence in the face of more and more research that supports and an expert consensus (DSM-V) doesn't make much sense.
There's a couple excellent reviews an discussions here:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763414002140
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/6/9/36532 -
Mycophilia wrote: »Unless you've given a handy for some candy, you aren't addicted to sugar.
:laugh:1 -
I agree that it's a behavioral problem.
I'd also have to laugh at that article. She used studies by Robert Lustig, who is a joke.7 -
Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.0
-
Cocaine is addictive, sugar is not - your body would not go into life threatening withdrawal if you don't get sugar, you will just crave it....5
-
stephmph16 wrote: »Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.
You're reading the wrong sites.
Sugar is no more addictive than petting puppies, or finally scratching that itch in the middle of your back that you couldn't reach. A group of pseudoscientific crackpots with books and diet plans to sell have demonized sugar/carbs and made their own industry out of convincing everybody that sugar is evil. And the mainstream media laps it up because it's clickbait for uninformed people who are desperate to lose weight and looking for that "diet secret" that will magically melt the pounds off them (or looking for something else to blame than themselves for their obesity).
Lustig, who is one of the people quoted in that article, is one of said pseudoscientific crackpots and his rhetoric and fearmongering doesn't hold water against actual science.10 -
stephmph16 wrote: »Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.
I sugar is addictive, we've been addicted since the dawn of time...sugar is nothing new...humans have been consuming sugar in various forms since the dawn of time.
As articles, magazines, documentaries, and other media goes...they have to sell...SUGAR ADDICTION makes for a great headline and click bait. Also, most articles and other media misinterpret data at minimum...but most have a bias and they cherry pick things from various studies and neglect to tell the whole story.
Beyond that, most of the things people claim to be addicted to in regards to sugar are actually a highly palatable and pleasing combination of sugar and fat...but nobody ever mentions the fat...just the sugar...because fat scaring is out and sugar scaring is in.
That said, most people who eat the SAD could stand to reduce their consumption...sugar in and of itself isn't an issue...over consumption is, regardless of sourcing. Over consumption of sugar is fairly rampant and is an issue, particularly if one isn't particularly active.11 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »stephmph16 wrote: »Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.
I sugar is addictive, we've been addicted since the dawn of time...sugar is nothing new...humans have been consuming sugar in various forms since the dawn of time.
As articles, magazines, documentaries, and other media goes...they have to sell...SUGAR ADDICTION makes for a great headline and click bait. Also, most articles and other media misinterpret data at minimum...but most have a bias and they cherry pick things from various studies and neglect to tell the whole story.
Beyond that, most of the things people claim to be addicted to in regards to sugar are actually a highly palatable and pleasing combination of sugar and fat...but nobody ever mentions the fat...just the sugar...because fat scaring is out and sugar scaring is in.
That said, most people who eat the SAD could stand to reduce their consumption...sugar in and of itself isn't an issue...over consumption is, regardless of sourcing. Over consumption of sugar is fairly rampant and is an issue, particularly if one isn't particularly active.
7 -
stephmph16 wrote: »Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.
I just wanted to say there is so much misinformation out there even among experts. Keep an open mind and consider the sources of your reading along with your own experience.
While I don't think sugar is addictive as studies show its not, it is something that is pleasurable and in that sense people can go overboard because the initial reward is, well yummy:).4 -
stephmph16 wrote: »Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.
You're reading the wrong sites.
Sugar is no more addictive than petting puppies, or finally scratching that itch in the middle of your back that you couldn't reach. A group of pseudoscientific crackpots with books and diet plans to sell have demonized sugar/carbs and made their own industry out of convincing everybody that sugar is evil. And the mainstream media laps it up because it's clickbait for uninformed people who are desperate to lose weight and looking for that "diet secret" that will magically melt the pounds off them (or looking for something else to blame than themselves for their obesity).
Lustig, who is one of the people quoted in that article, is one of said pseudoscientific crackpots and his rhetoric and fearmongering doesn't hold water against actual science.
Thank you Anvil for your thoughts. I hope I don't come across supporting the article from Lustig (confession: I didn't read it, it's not a site I typically would). I am hesitant to take things at face value in a forum because sometimes there's a lot of group think that may or may not be valid.
This was a quick abstract comparing the reward/crave towards sugar and addictive drugs. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23719144
This is outlining that sugar is not addictive, but can create 'psychological compulsions' and 'behavioral disorder' to eat (which is what I think you were getting at with behavioral addiction)
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-29126872
And just one more
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/09/140909093617.htm
I do think you're right, I was searching "sugar addiction", which gives tons of articles FOR sugar addiction; it wasn't until I searched "sugar not addicting" I was able to quickly and easily find the others. You've given me something to think about this afternoon, thanks!8 -
stephmph16 wrote: »Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.
You're reading science reporting instead of actual science.
And science reporting is meant to be click-baity and sensationalist. It is not meant to disseminate the truth.
Sound bites from people purported to be scientists in actual scientific articles are usually meant to sell books.
No actual research has been done to show the sugar is a physically addictive substance in humans. All of the clickbait is based on rat studies and has been un-reproducable in humans.5 -
GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »stephmph16 wrote: »Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.
You're reading science reporting instead of actual science.
And science reporting is meant to be click-baity and sensationalist. It is not meant to disseminate the truth.
Sound bites from people purported to be scientists in actual scientific articles are usually meant to sell books.
No actual research has been done to show the sugar is a physically addictive substance in humans. All of the clickbait is based on rat studies and has been un-reproducable in humans.
Not to mention that in some cases the design study leaves it wide open for errors and misinterpretation.5 -
Mycophilia wrote: »Unless you've given a handy for some candy, you aren't addicted to sugar.
I thought I had asked you to stop following me around.2 -
Thanks all for your thoughts!1
-
cwolfman13 wrote: »stephmph16 wrote: »Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.
I sugar is addictive, we've been addicted since the dawn of time...sugar is nothing new...humans have been consuming sugar in various forms since the dawn of time.
As articles, magazines, documentaries, and other media goes...they have to sell...SUGAR ADDICTION makes for a great headline and click bait. Also, most articles and other media misinterpret data at minimum...but most have a bias and they cherry pick things from various studies and neglect to tell the whole story.
Beyond that, most of the things people claim to be addicted to in regards to sugar are actually a highly palatable and pleasing combination of sugar and fat...but nobody ever mentions the fat...just the sugar...because fat scaring is out and sugar scaring is in.
That said, most people who eat the SAD could stand to reduce their consumption...sugar in and of itself isn't an issue...over consumption is, regardless of sourcing. Over consumption of sugar is fairly rampant and is an issue, particularly if one isn't particularly active.
This is spot on.1 -
Beyond that, most of the things people claim to be addicted to in regards to sugar are actually a highly palatable and pleasing combination of sugar and fat...but nobody ever mentions the fat...just the sugar...because fat scaring is out and sugar scaring is in.
This is why I think the focus is moving (at-least in scientific circles) to "food addiction" rather than "sugar addiction" or "carbohydrate addiction". While certain people may have a food addiction that is centered in sugar, others may find it's fat, and others may find it's a combination of the two. Or whatever.
So yes, sugar isn't addictive in the same way cocaine is addictive. But it's addictive TO SOME PEOPLE (by stimulating reward/pleasure centere in the brain) in the same way gambling is addictive TO SOME PEOPLE. Behaviourally. As such, the more general term "food addiction" is what has become accepted by addictions professionals as well as meeting the addiction criteria specified in the DSM-V.
3 -
stephmph16 wrote: »Bear in mind I'm a newb when it comes to nutrition, but not a moron, can someone explain how sugar isn't addictive? Most the articles I'm seeing online say in big bold letters "sugar is addictive", but here people are scoffing at that idea. I just want to know where I'm getting information from.
Usually "sugar is addictive" means "our body responds positively to consuming sugar, which is true. We respond similarly to consuming fat, btw, and most of all to combinations of the two (or fat, carbs, and salt).
Sometimes it means people can begin eating in a dysfunctional or hedonistic way, to stifle feelings or just for fun, basically detached for the purpose of fulfilling hunger, which is also true, but that again is not just sugar (more highly palatable foods that are a combination of ingredients, like sugar and fat, again) and also behavioral, not physical.
What strikes me about the claim is that it is, first, not necessary to explain what people are trying to explain (why people eat more than they need to maintain a healthy weight). We evolved in an environment where food was more scarce than not and we had to be able to go without eating for a period of time (which tends to make us feel hunger less, counter-intuitively) and to eat when food is available, not only if we happen to be particularly hungry. Later in our history we tended to have cultural restrictions on eating. The current environment is rare, and liking food is not the same thing as addiction.
Second, and even more significantly, people who claim to be "addicted" to sugar usually couldn't care less about that white stuff on its own. I personally managed to get quite fat (although I lost it) while thinking the idea of eating sugar out of the jar seemed disgusting. What seems delicious and hard to resist for me are specific sugary treats (again, that all have fat in them, as well as other ingredients), and yet different sugary treats that are chemically basically the same interest me not at all and I wouldn't want to eat more even if I ate one. That's nothing like addiction, IME -- it's akin to claiming to be addicted to wine but not gin, or even cabernet but not syrah.1
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 389 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 919 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions