Sugar is NO JOKE

After the Holidays while many try to get a grip on their health, we see a lot of MEMES regarding exercise and healthy eating. I'll be the first to admit that some are really funny but would we laugh if they are MEMES of cocaine and heroin abuse? I don't think so. We all know the danger of these drugs and certainly would not be making fun of being addicted to them. So why do we do it with sugar? I honestly believe that we need a wake up call when it comes to sugar abuse in our society. 

Let’s look at the stats.

Each year, cocaine – the second-most commonly trafficked drug in the U.S. – kills between 5,000 and 6,000 people. Heroin? Under 12,000.

So the ballpark figure is less than 18,000 deaths annually for two of the most infamous illegal drugs.

That’s a lot. But what if I told you there was a single, legal, food additive responsible for at least 7,000 more deaths in the U.S. annually than cocaine and heroin combined?

Sugar: The Real Public Enemy #1

18,000 + 7,000 = 25,000.

That’s the total number of annual U.S. deaths researchers have attributed to drinks (just drinks, they didn’t even look at junk food) containing processed sugar.

Those findings come from just one of many studies that have highlighted how dangerous sugar can be. It rots your teeth. It causes cancer. It’s largely to blame for America’s obesity epidemic.

And yet, the average American shovels it down their throat at a rate of about 19 teaspoons per day.

But it’s not stupidity or ignorance that causes us to do that. It’s something far more disturbing.

Sugar Addiction

Research published in the Public Library of Science highlights a strange lab rat experiment involving sugar and cocaine.

The rats were given cocaine until they became dependent on it. Then, researchers provided them a choice – the rats could continue to have the cocaine or they could switch to sugar.

Guess which one the rodents chose?

Yup, the sugar. 94% chose to make the switch. Even when they had to work hard to access the sugar, the rats were more interested in it than they were in the cocaine.

Why? Because the sugar had a much more powerful effect on their brains. The same thing can be observed in humans.

The Human Brain On Sugar

Image: RADiUS

Researchers believe that sweet receptors in the human brain evolved at a time when our diets didn’t contain all that much sugar.

They have yet to adapt to our modern levels of sugar consumption.

As a result, those receptors get overloaded by processed foods and make the brain release abnormal amounts of endorphins – happy chemicals.

When a person attempts to cut off their sugar addiction, it can be tough. It can honestly feel impossible.

Food manufacturers are smart. They know that’s how the brain works and so they cram their products to the brim with refined sugar for the sake of profit.

And the profits are huge – in the billions for companies like Coca Cola.

Also Read: 8 Awesome Ways To Obliterate Sugar Addiction Before It Kills You

This is just the tip of the iceberg and changes need to be made. Don't play the victim card so make the changes at home. We won't see any real change for a long time when it comes to the food industry so it's up to us. 

Love, 

Coach Sil

Sources:

Coca Cola
Dr. Joseph Mercola
Public Library of Science
Authority Nutrition
CNN
DrugAbuse.gov