Well, this is the 2nd blog from me. To the doubters who didn’t think I had the gumption to write another …‘up yours’.
So sit back, grab a nice cup of coffee and be prepared to have mind pried open just a little.
Here in Australia there has been a lot written in the media of late about decriminalizing cannabis, with a few other drugs on the wish list. The aim would be to control its distribution by government instead of drug syndicates. Oh, and let’s not forget that the government can tax the hell out of it as well. So all this talk and current affairs got me thinking about health and fitness. How I managed to make this seemingly random connection was quite simple and it got me thinking about addictive drugs and sugar. What I found was disturbing.
Personally, I don’t have sugar much anymore, maybe in a coffee on the weekends or if I’m treating myself to a dessert when I’m out with my wife. To be completely transparent with you I used to have sugar in everything when I was in my mid to late twenties. Why? It made bad food taste that bit little better. The reason I stopped was when I teased the crap out of my uncle after he was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes by tossing a block of Cadbury Milk Chocolate in front him. The words ‘you bastard’ still resonate today along with the look he gave me. Needless to say it took some serious self-reflection along with those words and look from my uncle and the need for sugar stopped. What I did find was that it was hard for me to get of (detox) and I swear even now that there were noticeable withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
So this is where the heroin and sugar connection starts to come in. We all know that heroin is addictive; people who use heroin stay on it for years if not a lifetime and the damage it does to one’s self (and the individuals family) is well documented. What is interesting, and quite disturbing, is that sugar can act in much the same way as heroin.
In 2002 Princeton University research began showing the neurochemical effects of sugar, noting that sugar might serve as a gateway drug for other drugs. The research group fed chow to the rats as well as a 25% sugar solution similar to the sugar concentration of soft drinks. After one month the rats became “dependent” on the sugar solution, ate less chow and increased their intake of the sugary drink to 200%. Researchers say that sugar and the taste of sweet is said to stimulate the brain by activating beta endorphin receptor sites, the same chemicals activated in the brain by the ingestion of heroin and morphine.
A 2008 study noted that sugar affects opioid and dopamine in the brain, and thus might be expected to have addictive potential. It referenced binging, withdrawal, craving and cross-sensitization, and gave each of them operational definitions in order to demonstrate behaviorally that sugar binging is a reinforcer. These behaviors were said to be related to neurochemical changes in the brain that also occur during addiction to drugs.
I could continue to point out research papers on this point but this is a blog, not a research paper in its own right. The connection I’m going to make is that food and beverage manufacturers also have access to research papers on the topic. It’s interesting to note that Coca-Cola will not publicly share its research and development budget but with annual sales in the US of $23.5 billion dollars in 2005. That said, it would be safe to assume that it would be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. But this also raises the question that if their drinks are selling well, and quite clearly they do, why would a company need to spend so much on research and development? Wouldn’t that money be better spent on marketing to get you to drink more or maybe it something a little more sinister?
I found a video recently on the effects of Sugar and the addictive properties that it contains. The abridged version I’ve copied below. I would encourage all of you to take time time to view it before reading on!
So where does that leave me and the choices that I make? It’s pretty simple, refined sugar is technically poison and your body has to work so hard to process it that the results are a weakened inefficient system and tremendous strain on the liver and other organs. It has a direct causal effect on Obesity, Hypoglycemia, Diabetes, tooth decay as well as cause vital vitamin and mineral depletion. In a nutshell, it’s really bad for you.
So if we’re talking about choosing the right foods when you’re shopping you should be aware that hidden sugars are present in most foods including vegetables. Does that mean that I exclude them from my diet. HELL NO!! We’re talking basic logic here folks. Cut the lollies, chocolate and highly processed foods and you’ll see your average sugar consumption take a huge decline and thus cut your chances of the above health problems. We live in the age of information and food labeling is getting better. Those that don’t take a curious look at what food they’re buying are either ignorant or don’t give a hoot about their own health. I would implore you all to do some simple research and make informed decisions about the foods that you choose to fuel yourself with.
In essence, don’t be like my uncle, for him, the damage has already been done.
