Sugar: The Most Dangerous and Cheapest Drug?
Who called sugar the most dangerous drug?
Dutch endocrinologist Aart Jan van der Lelij, head of Amsterdam's health service, described in detail how sugar should actually be treated like a drug. According to him, sugar is the worst form of addiction a person can have — in his view, its addictive pull is comparable to tobacco and alcohol.
Why does the body respond to sugar differently from food?
It seems the body does not treat sugar as food but as a sweet addiction. When we are hungry we eat, and as soon as the stomach feels full we stop. But with sugar, that is not the case. It is very difficult to stop eating sugar-filled foods — even when the tummy feels full, the urge to eat more is still there.
The food industry exploits this mechanism of sugar addiction and makes processed foods unnecessarily sweeter. Often, when people are trying to lose weight, sugar could be the main culprit behind failing diets.
What did he propose governments do?
Van der Lelij wanted the government of the Netherlands to put warning labels similar to tobacco on foods containing sugar — and to introduce a sugar tax.
Is sugar really like heroin or marijuana?
Sugar is not like heroin or marijuana, but it has a "feel-good" effect that works on the brain's reward system in patterns similar to addictive drugs. It's very easy to become a sugar addict — it is cheap and easily available.
In lab studies, rats that binged on sugar showed brain changes similar to drug addiction, and it hindered the body's metabolism as well. Various studies have linked overconsumption of sugar to memory loss too.
Where can you learn more?
EndSugarAddiction.com is a comprehensive website about sugar information and addiction. The first step in getting rid of sugar addiction is to first recognize it. Most people with this addiction don't even realize they have become sugar addicts. Once you have the realization, little changes on a daily basis will help you become a healthier person.
General information only, not medical advice.
Related Stories
Why Fast Food Is Cheap and Home Food Isn't: The Real Economics
A burger costs less than a salad — not by accident. The economics that make ultra-processed calories the cheapest calories, and what they really cost.
Five Myths About Good Health
Five health myths revisited with current evidence: exercise and the brain, the wine debate, how much exercise is enough, potatoes, and brown vs. white sugar.
Can You Eat Sweets and Still Lose Weight?
Total sugar bans tend to fail. What behavioral nutrition research actually says about sweets, moderation, and lasting weight loss.