Sugar is toxic and “should be controlled like alcohol and tobacco to protect public health, according to a team of UCSF researchers, who maintain” “that sugar is fueling a global obesity pandemic, contributing to 35 million deaths annually worldwide from non-communicable diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.”
This is from a Science Daily summary of a new 2012 report in Nature, Public health: The toxic truth about sugar.
I’d like to add that sugar is also contributing to mental health problems. An Australian researcher, Dr. Felice Jacka, has authored a number of studies looking at food quality and anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. This 2010 study in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that a “western” diet of processed or fried foods, refined grains, sugary products, and beer was associated with a higher risk of anxiety and depression
While I feel that it is great that researchers recognize just how harmful sugar is, controlling it like alcohol and tobacco will only help to some extent. We also have to address the underlying neurotransmitter and nutritional deficiencies that contribute to sugar addiction.
Yes, sugar is addicting as drugs, alcohol and tobacco! If we just take the sugar away, say to keep it out of the house, only eat small amounts or only eat sugar one day of the week – we are asking you to rely on will-power and self-discipline. And we all know how effective that is!
As I recently reported at a Holistic Moms twitter party on food and mood:
“Sugar was by far the biggest offender with many participants discussing how difficult it can be to break the sugar habit”.
Rosie O’Donnell was recently on the Dr Oz show talking about her weight, her depression and her relationship with food. And she made this very profound statement: “being overweight is an accepted societal addiction”. This is what she said when talking about her own sugar/carb addiction “I think about candy bars all night during Halloween” and “I could survive on bread and butter”. And she was very honest and vulnerable when she admitted “I know this…I’m a smart person…I get this…but I can’t seem to fix it. I’m smart but I’m screwed up!”
Here are some steps to help you quit your sugar addiction and not feel deprived. I’d love Rosie, and all of you who battle with this addiction to toxic sugar, to know that there ARE answers!
Sugar is closely related to anxiety, affecting blood sugar swings, depleting you of key nutrients and much more. Sugar is covered in great detail in The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood and End Cravings, now available in major books stores, at Amazon and via www.antianxietyfoodsolution.com.
Trudy,
I know this to be true from my own experience. Sugar is totally hard to knock, and small bits of it lurk in many things you would never dream of. Thanks for this article.
Sue
Sue
So true about sugar lurking in so many things! which is why eating real whole food is key!
Trudy
Great article Trudy and so glad you are spreading the truth about the damaging and addictive nature of sugar!
Great to have an article on sugar Trudy. I know for myself that I can feel the ill effects of sugar shortly after ingesting it. Not only can it add to anxiety but it can also have a big negative hormonal impact. I love how you talk about addressing the underlying causes of why we might be eating it. Thank you for the great info!
Robin
Yes, we must not forget the hormonal impact – thanks Robin
Trudy
Hmmm … I’m like Rosie! I’m smart. I know what I should and shouldn’t eat. But I can’t help it. I am working toward making better choices … but it’s always a struggle every day. I think my body is just used to it now … I am working to retrain it, to make it not miss the sugar, but it’s definitely not a quick process!
Jennifer
Many people struggle every day, just like you – and don’t have to when you correct nutritional and neurotransmitter imbalances. If you do this, then it can be a quick process and you won’t feel deprived.
Trudy
Trudy,
Some years ago I reduced my coffee intake to one cup in the AM each day. Never with sugar, ever.
It always amazes me to watch the amount of sugar people pour into their cups of coffee. Not to mention the prepared coffee drinks filled with sugar.
Thanks for sharing this info.
Mitch
It’s so true, Mitch, what you say about coffee and sugar. Also, the coffee drinks that you can buy at convenience stores are absolutely loaded with sugar. I don’t think people realize that.
I’ve also found that the less coffee or tea I drink, the less I’m interested in sugar. Cutting down on caffeine has really helped with sugar cravings. Yay!
Great article, Trudy!
Kamran – Good for you! thanks for your feedback
Sugar creates it’s own desire in me. When I eat it, I want more. When I don’t eat it, I barely think about it. Although for me, a bigger demon is sugar’s cousin white flour.
I like that Michele – sugar’s cousin white flour! lets call it the ugly cousin! often more addicting because the gluten contain opiate-like compounds!