Journal article 3505 views
The plausibility of sugar addiction and its role in obesity and eating disorders
David Benton
Clinical Nutrition, Volume: 29, Issue: 3, Pages: 288 - 303
Swansea University Author: David Benton
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.clnu.2009.12.001
Abstract
Background & aimsTo consider the hypothesis that addiction to food, or more specifically sucrose, plays a role in obesity and eating disorders.MethodsBy considering the relevant literature a series of predictions were examined, derived from the hypothesis that addiction to sucrose consumption ca...
| Published in: | Clinical Nutrition |
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| ISSN: | 0261-5614 |
| Published: |
2010
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa9070 |
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| Abstract: |
Background & aimsTo consider the hypothesis that addiction to food, or more specifically sucrose, plays a role in obesity and eating disorders.MethodsBy considering the relevant literature a series of predictions were examined, derived from the hypothesis that addiction to sucrose consumption can develop. Fasting should increase food cravings, predominantly for sweet items; cravings should occur after an overnight fast; the obese should find sweetness particularly attractive; a high-sugar consumption should predispose to obesity. More specifically predictions based on the hypothesis that addiction to sugar is central to bingeing disorders were developed. Dieting should predate the development of bingeing; dietary style rather than psychological, social and economic factors should be predispose to eating disorders; sweet items should be preferentially consumed while bingeing; opioid antagonists should cause withdrawal symptoms; bingeing should develop at a younger age when there is a greater preference for sweetness.ResultsThe above predications have in common that on no occasion was the behaviour predicted by an animal model of sucrose addiction supported by human studies.ConclusionThere is no support from the human literature for the hypothesis that sucrose may be physically addictive or that addiction to sugar plays a role in eating disorders. |
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| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Issue: |
3 |
| Start Page: |
288 |
| End Page: |
303 |