Symptoms
People with sugar addiction are dependent on foods high in sugar and exhibit daily and uncontrolled consumption. Sugar addiction can manifest as dependence, tolerance, binge eating, craving, and withdrawal symptoms. Sugary foods are also consumed as sedatives, for stress relief, fatigue, tension and mood disorders. Possible negative consequences include tooth decay, gum problems, mood swings, irritability, overweight, obesity, a fatty liver, metabolic disorders, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus. Because of the secondary diseases, sugar addiction is potentially life-threatening in the longer term. It must be mentioned that the disease is still discussed controversially in the literature. There are experts who deny its existence. Sugar is certainly psychoactive to a lesser extent than narcotics and at least acutely much less toxic. One well-known critic is Prof. David Benton of Swansea University in Wales. However, for the review paper cited below (Benton, 2010), he received money from the , a lobbying organization of sugar manufacturers.
Causes
In a narrow sense, sugar refers to sucrose, a disaccharide and carbohydrate consisting of one molecule each of glucose and fructose covalently bonded together. In addition, there are many other sugars with similar properties, such as glucose (grape sugar), fructose (fruit sugar) and various starch degradation products such as glucose syrup (starch syrup), malt extract and maltose. Although sucrose and similar carbohydrates are natural substances, they are far from occurring in nature in such high concentrations and purity as we know from processed foods today. This is with the exception of bee honey, a supersaturated solution of glucose and fructose. Never in history have people had such easy and cheap access to pure sugar. In many countries, for example, a kilogram is available to consumers for about CHF 1. The ingestion of sugar causes the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and endogenous opioids in the brain. It calms, relaxes and triggers feelings of happiness (“sugar high”, “sugar rush”). These mechanisms are compared by some authors with the effects of intoxicants. In animal experiments, it has been shown that the effects of endogenous opioids can be reversed with opioid antagonists such as naloxone. The reward system in the brain ensures that we reach for sugar again and again. In the process, a tolerance can develop that necessitates an increase in dose. With the aim of avoiding unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, sugar is regularly supplied. In animal experiments, it has been shown that rats, which can choose between cocaine and sugar, clearly and persistently favor the sugar.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be made using a structured patient interview, for example, using the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS).
Prevention and treatment
It is problematic that sugar is used to such an extent in the manufacture of food. It is present as hidden sugar not only in obviously sweet products such as sweets, sweet drinks and desserts, but also, for example, in salad dressings, bread, pastries, drinks, bouillon, mayonnaise or pickled cucumbers. It should be noted that the statement “of which sugar” in the nutrition declaration on food packaging does not refer exclusively to sucrose. It refers to all natural and added mono- and disaccharides in the product. Milk, for example, contains about 4.9 g of sugar per 100 ml. This refers primarily to the naturally contained milk sugar, lactose. For the prevention or treatment of sugar dependence, the proportion of sugary foods in the diet should be reduced. Sugar is not essential to the diet. Carbohydrates should preferably be supplied as polysaccharides (polymers) because they release glucose more slowly and are more satiating. A complete renunciation is not necessary from our point of view. Instead of jam (sugar content about 50%), fruits, berries, a low-sugar muesli with cottage cheese or salty foods such as eggs, nuts and avocados can be eaten for breakfast. The chocolate bar as a snack (sugar content 60%) can be replaced by a fruit or a whole-grain cracker.And for dessert, only very small amounts of sweets should be consumed. Other tips:
- Set limits for daily consumption.
- People who cook for themselves usually use less sugar and other additives for the same dishes and foods than the food industry.
- It is always better to eat a food that is as unprocessed and not concentrated as possible. So, for example, an apple instead of apple juice or smoothies.
- The idea is to try to get his “highs” by other methods, preferably physical activity and sports.
- To buy only small supplies of sweets.
- Do not drink sweet drinks.
