I don’t think anybody realizes how addicted we are to this substance. It comes under different names and it is in everything we eat. Are you addicted to sugar? if so,well you’re not alone. In 2007 a group of researchers found that sugar surpasses what is called “cocaine reward” in most mammals, including rats and humans. The frightening result of this study is the conclusion that sugar is more addictive than cocaine.
Although sugar does not cause the same effects as heroin and other drugs, it does stimulate the release of endogenous opiates “a reward” signal, which is sent to the brain, and we feel a sense of pleasure and reward.
No matter how harmful a food or substance may be to the body, this sensation of pleasure keeps us coming back for more, while at the same time altering our brain chemistry.
By continuing to eat a diet high in processed food, eating a lot of sugary sweats and deserts and low intake of fruit and vegetables we are setting ourselves up for disease and obesity. When we make a conscious decision to understand what we are putting into our bodies, then and only then can we break away from these old habits and end addiction!
5 WAYS TO BREAK THE SUGAR ADDICTION:
- Eat less processed food and try to eat as much as you can at home, this way you can monitor what goes into your food.
- Eat more complex carbs, this fills you up and stops you from snacking.
- Eat more fruits like apples, pineapple, kiwi, and pear, not so much of the very sweetened fruits (mangoes) this will curb your craving for sweets.
- Drink lots of water
- Eat sour foods; these will also curb your cravings for sugar.
