‘Sugar addiction: is it real?’ follows many studies done on rats to compare the many similarities between addictive substances, such as cocaine, caffeine and nicotine, to sugar. The subjects showed many of the same symptoms such as craving, reward, withdrawal and were witnessed swapping one addition for another. The article pointed out the similarities in the production of sugar and other similar white crystals like cocaine and opium.

The real eye opener for me from this article was comparison in production techniques and the fact that just because it doesn’t produce alterations in social behaviours like the other drugs, doesn’t make it any better then them. This article was different from the other as it didn’t focus on the health issues associated with sugar but focused on the effect it has on the brain which leads to addiction.

 

DiNicolantonio, JJ, Lucan, SC, O’Keefe, JH, 2016, ‘The Evidence for Saturated Fat and for Sugar Related to Coronary Heart Disease’, Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, vol. 58, no. 5, pp. 464-472.

This article focuses on the diseases associated with medium to high sugar diets and the deaths and cost to the health care system each year. Many studies have been conducted in groups of age ranges, skin colour and sex and the effects of sugar on the cardiovascular system, heart disease obesity, insulin resistance leading to Type 2 Diabetes and many more health related issues. 

As mentions in most of the other studies, the main culprit is high-fructose corn syrup found in almost all of our consumer beverages. To add to the problem is the low cost of these products compared to the healthy choices, and in some cases, even just water. I was shocked to read how many people die each year from disease related to sugary diets and the cost it has on our economy, and that was just in the USA! 

 

Malik, VS, Popkin, BM, Bray, GA, Despres, J-P, Hu, FB, 2010, ‘Sugar-sweetened Beverages, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk’, Circulation, vol. 121, no. 11, pp. 1356-1364.

Again, the subjects of obesity, cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes are discussed but with more of a focus on the types of sugars causing these health issue across the world. It takes us back to before sugar was added to our beverages and the reason it was. This led to industries being created around these drinks and even to the point of WWII rations being allowed to be broken for this product to grow to the giant it is today, Coca Cola. With the increase of these sugar laced products, increase availabilities and no campaigns to properly educate the consumers, the rate of obesity worldwide is and increasing epidemic. 

With the amount of research conducted over the last few decades it really demands an answer as to why our governments and health organisations aren’t doing more to reduce our health issue?

 

Malhotra, A, Schofield, G, Lustig, RH 2018, ‘The science against sugar, alone, is insufficient in tackling the obesity and type 2 diabetes crisis – We must also overcome opposition from vested interests’, Journal of Insulin Resistance, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1-6.

This article discusses the requirement of sugar in our diets and the recommended dietary intake set by health organisations across the world. There are many countries putting sugar taxes in place in an effort to curb the obesity problem affect the world and the way the Australian Government gives into lobbying from food industries to avoid the tax. The article refers to research on the consumption of added-sugar beverages in different countries and their effect on health and the economy. There is also evidence of trusted research and health institutes using flawed data. The article also compares the measures taken to recognised smoking as a destructive health issue and to implement plans to educate people on a large scale.

Throughout the article there are many references to current and past daily recommendations of sugar intake by the Health organisations and comparisons between countries. The one reoccurring problem between the articles review is the main issue is added, processed sugar and even more so, sugary beverages. I was surprised to find out that Mexico led the world in implementing the sugar tax, which 130 other countries followed suit.

 

 

Petrova, S, 2018, ‘ABC Four Corners: five articles to get you informed on sugar and Big Sugar’s role in food policy’, Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 40-41.

This article does a great job in pointing out who has a seat at the policy making table across the whole world to keep their sugar fill treats available to us. It points out old research done by credible source, which were founded by the food industry, were the basis for our current dietary intake needs. Research funded by the food industry, similar to the research funded by the tobacco industry, shows a more positive outcome in their favour. The article discusses Australia’s failed health measure, that aren’t mandatory, and the governments resistance to the sugar tax that so much positivity has been shown from other countries leading the way. Similar sugar taxes could prevent over 4000 death per year in Australia.

I was amazed to read the companies involved in policy making and that the government has allowed such actions to take place. This cements the fact that it comes down to greed and money making, rather then have true, healthy and affordable products to consume.

Shot one- Cookies…only 6 packets per week

Shot two- Lollies…only 3 packets per week

Shot three- Coffee…only 2 per day

Shot four- Soft drink…only 12L per week

Shot five- Cut the shh…SUGAR

Save not only your life, but your families too

DiNicolantonio, JJ, Lucan, SC, O’Keefe, JH, 2016, ‘The Evidence for Saturated Fat and for Sugar Related to Coronary Heart Disease’, Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, vol. 58, no. 5, pp. 464-472.

Malik, VS, Popkin, BM, Bray, GA, Despres, J-P, Hu, FB, 2010, ‘Sugar-sweetened Beverages, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk’, Circulation, vol. 121, no. 11, pp. 1356-1364.

Malhotra, A, Schofield, G, Lustig, RH 2018, ‘The science against sugar, alone, is insufficient in tackling the obesity and type 2 diabetes crisis – We must also overcome opposition from vested interests’, Journal of Insulin Resistance, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 1-6.

Petrova, S, 2018, ‘ABC Four Corners: five articles to get you informed on sugar and Big Sugar’s role in food policy’, Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 40-41.

Throsby, K, 2018, ‘Giving up sugar and the inequalities of abstinence’, Sociology of Health & Illness, vol. 40, no. 6, pp. 954-968.

Wiss, DA, Avena, N, Rada, P, 2018, ‘Sugar Addiction: From Evolution to Revolution’, Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 9, no. 545, pp. 1-16.

Johnson, RJ, Segal, MS, Sautin, Y, Nakagawa, T, Feig, DI, Kang, DH, Gersch, MS, Benner, S, Sanchez-Lozada, LG, 2007, ‘Potential role of sugar (fructose) in the epidemic of hypertension, obesity and the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease’, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 86, no. 4, pp. 899-906.