Inside Health
Can you be addicted to sugar?
Apr 22, 2025
Join Professor Susanne Dickson, a neurobiology expert, Professor James Brown from Aston University, and dental hygienist Claire McCarthy for a sweet discussion on sugar addiction. They unveil the science behind sugar cravings and the brain's reward system. The trio dives into how stress influences sugar consumption and its parallels with traditional addiction. Plus, Claire shares humorous and invaluable dental tips to balance enjoyment and hygiene, ensuring your teeth stay healthy while indulging in those Easter treats!
27:40
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Quick takeaways
- Sugar consumption triggers the brain's reward system, leading to cravings and complex behavioral responses rather than traditional addiction patterns.
- Genetics and early dietary exposure significantly influence individual preferences and responses to sugary foods, highlighting the complexity of sugar consumption behaviors.
Deep dives
The Complex Nature of Sugar Addiction
The podcast delves into the debate surrounding whether sugar can be classified as an addictive substance. Experts emphasize that addiction in a traditional sense—marked by compulsive consumption despite negative health outcomes—is challenging to apply to food. They discuss concepts such as tolerance and withdrawal, suggesting that while sugar can lead to cravings and harmful consumption patterns, the classification of food addiction lacks the same clarity as substance abuse disorders. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the complexity of human behavior towards sugar and questions the validity of labeling it as an addiction.
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