Sugar addiction: the state of the science

Abstract

PurposeAs obesity rates continue to climb, the notion that overconsumption reflects an underlying ‘food addiction’ (FA) has become increasingly influential. An increasingly popular theory is that sugar acts as an addictive agent, eliciting neurobiological changes similar to those seen in drug addiction. In this paper, we review the evidence in support of sugar addiction.MethodsWe reviewed the literature on food and sugar addiction and considered the evidence suggesting the addictiveness of highly processed foods, particularly those with high sugar content. We then examined the addictive potential of sugar by contrasting evidence from the animal and human neuroscience literature on drug and sugar addiction.ResultsWe find little evidence to support sugar addiction in humans, and findings from the animal literature suggest that addiction-like behaviours, such as bingeing, occur only in the context of intermittent access to sugar. These behaviours likely arise from intermittent access to sweet tasting or highly palatable foods, not the neurochemical effects of sugar.ConclusionGiven the lack of evidence supporting it, we argue against a premature incorporation of sugar addiction into the scientific literature and public policy recommendations.

Childhood Fructoholism and Fructoholic Liver Disease

“…Nevertheless, non–drug‐related addictions have been investigated recently, including gambling, sex, and food . Sugar addiction is a specific type of food addiction, probably occurring due to its palatability combined with its postingestive effects …”

“…(53) Sugar addiction is a specific type of food addiction, probably occurring due to its palatability combined with its postingestive effects. (54) Sugar addiction from the viewpoint of behavior and brain neurochemistry has been shown in animal models, in which feeding comportment during intermittent access to sugar solutions was studied, demonstrating similar addiction-related behaviors caused by drugs of abuse, including bingeing, withdrawal syndrome, cravings, and cross-sensitization. (55) Rats' preference for sugar reward over an addictive drug such as cocaine has been evidenced, even for rats that are cocaine-dependent.…”

Giving up sugar and the inequalities of abstinence

“…Westwater et al . (), for example, argue that studies of the neurochemical effects of sugar do not support the case for sugar addiction (see also, Ziauddeen et al . , Ziauddeen and Fletcher ), and even the most determined to connect sugar with addiction, particularly in an anti‐obesity context, acknowledge the limitations of this approach (Gearhardt et al .…”

“…While there is some evidence from animal studies that rodents can become sugar dependent (Avena et al 2008), the jury is out on whether sugar is addictive for humans. Westwater et al (2016), for example, argue that studies of the neurochemical effects of sugar do not support the case for sugar addiction (see also, Ziauddeen et al 2012, Ziauddeen andFletcher 2013), and even the most determined to connect sugar with addiction, particularly in an anti-obesity context, acknowledge the limitations of this approach (Gearhardt et al 2011, Lustig 2014, Taubes 2017. Nevertheless, sugar addiction remains a very popular and powerful idea, particularly in lay understandings, which in turn reinforces the framing of giving up sugar as a heroic act of healthful overcoming and good citizenship.…”

Sugars, exercise and health

“…Literature is not cohesive in considering food addiction as an authentic dependence disorder with a proper, genuine phenotype (Carlier et al, 2015;Rippe and Marcos, 2016;Westwater et al, 2016). For diagnostic criteria we should refer to the YFSA scale (Davis et al, 2011;Gearhardt et al, 2009b) (Brownell and Gold, 2012), but both conditions are not mutually inclusive.…”