Slave to Sugar Sweets More Addictive Than Dope

Having a hard time cutting back on sweets? New research may explain why: Sugar is possibly even more addictive than cocaine. University of Bordeaux researchers monitored 43 rats given a choice of sugar water or cocaine and found 94% preferred the sweet stuff.

The rodents also demonstrated an overwhelming preference for saccharine, indicating taste (vs. calories) as the driving force and suggesting that artificial sweeteners may be just as addictive as sugar. Increasing the dope dosage did nothing to deter the sweet-addled test subjects. Even more astounding is that when cocaine-addicted rodents were deprived of drugs for 10 days, they still chose the sugar high over a drug fix.

Sugar consumption may elevate levels of the brain chemical dopamine, which in turn intensifies cravings for sweets, thus perpetuating an addictive cycle.

Obesity is not the only result of excessive sugar consumption -- sugar itself can damage your arteries and your skin.

Bonus: Vigorous exercise will not only help you burn more calories and extend your lifespan -- it can also help tame your sweet tooth.

Article provided courtesy of Dole Nutrition Institute