Eating too much sugar can be a slippery slope to various diseases—and even addiction. Although many endeavor to cut back or quit, it can sometimes be easier said than done. Not only is sugar an addictive substance, but it also is a ubiquitous ingredient. This added sugar is linked to chronic disease and biochemical changes in the body.
Causes of Sugar Addiction
Why does eating sugar lead to addiction? Once sugar enters the body, it triggers the secretion of two chemicals in the brain. One is dopamine, the secretion of which gives a pleasant feeling that one wants to repeat. The other is serotonin, which affects mood, sexual desire, sleep, and appetite; it can also calm nerves.
Jingduan Yang
M.D.
Dr. Jingduan Yang is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in integrative and traditional Chinese medicine. He developed the ACES Model of Health and Medicine and leads clinical, educational, and research initiatives. As a principal founder of the Northern School of Medicine and Health Sciences, he advances whole-person care grounded in science, ethics, and humanity.
