The History of Sugar and Obesity

In the 1960s, scientists waged a war against fat, which led to the rise of low-fat alternatives that were often high in sugar and processed carbs. Sugar consumption per capita in the US actually decreased between 1920 and 1970, but it started to skyrocket in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, coinciding with the increase in obesity rates. However, it is still a scientific mystery as to what exactly causes obesity. Dr. David Ludwig, an endocrinologist, argues that the conventional wisdom on diet and obesity may be entirely backwards, and that traditional diets don't work for most people. The episode explores the history of the American diet, the relationship between diet and obesity, and the failures in understanding what is good or bad in terms of food, from sugar to milk. It also introduces themed weeks on the podcast, with this week's theme being diet and obesity. The week's episodes will cover the mind-blowing new generation of anti-obesity drugs and their potential impact on American health and culture.