“Is Sugar a Drug According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), the average American gets about 13 percent of his or her caloric intake from added sugar. Because sugar affects the brain in similar ways to many drugs, it is considered a drug. Unfortunately, sugar is an ingredient found in many of our foods and relatively abundant in sodas. How Sugar Becomes an Addiction Affliction Sugar directly affects the limbic system’s chemistry, which is the part of the brain associated with emotional control. Sugar affects the opiate receptors in our brain, which is the reward center, and it feels good to us, so we end up craving it, which leads to addiction. Each time we eat something sweet, it reinforces the neural pathways, which causes the hard-wiring within the brain to crave these sweet treats. Over time, we build up a tolerance, so we end up requiring more sugar to satisfy our addiction. The feeling of being rewarded for sugar consumption can surpass even a highly addictive drug like cocaine. So, deciding to quit or even lower your sugar intake can give rise to some challenging withdrawal issues. Sugar Withdrawal Many people decide to reduce their added sugar intake due to various medical conditions. Research studies have linked elevated sugar intake with diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and poor dental health. However, physical and mental withdrawal symptoms can occur when the sugar stops, depending on how much added sugar was consumed. Some physical sugar withdrawal symptoms include: Feeling run-down and fatigued Nausea Headaches Dizziness or light-headedness Some mental sugar withdrawal symptoms include: Anxiety Depression (this is due to the decreased Dopamine being released) Insomnia Difficulty concentrating There may be certain times when the symptoms seem to be worse during the day, such as between meals. Stress can also trigger cravings for sugar. How the body reacts is different for everyone. These sugar withdrawal symptoms can last for a few days or a few weeks, depending on the addiction’s severity. Over time, the body will adapt, and the symptoms will occur less frequently, but for those struggling, a sugar detox program can be a lifesaver for many. Sugar Detox A sugar detox program can put you on the right path to health and wellness while bringing an end to the sugar addiction affliction. The 21-day sugar detox can be a jump-start to living a healthier and more energetic lifestyle. The American Heart Association recommends no more than 25 grams of sugar per day for women, and men, 36 grams of sugar per day. Putting a few teaspoons of sugar in your coffee can add up because six teaspoons equal 25 grams. The 21-day sugar detox provides distinctive ways to rid your body of the desire for sugar once and for all. You learn how to swap out bad choices and replace them with healthier options. Cut out hidden and artificial sugars that are often found in pasta sauce, bread, and flavored yogurts Focus on eating lead proteins, healthy fats, and unprocessed carbohydrates Put a restriction on the amount of sugar taken in each day For the first few days of the 21-days, a person may feel decreased energy, a bit of brain fog, and possibly an increase in hunger. These are all signs that you are detoxing your body of sugar. Getting past that initial stage can be challenging for some, but the rewards are substantial. Your energy level will skyrocket, your sleep will improve, and your stress level can feel more balanced. Powerful Tips for a KO Fight Against Sugar Addiction Making simple adjustments in your diet can help your body and mind detox from sugar. The following tips may sound too easy, but they are potent when it comes to your fight against sugar addiction. Cut back on sugary drinks and substitute with flavored waters using fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Lemon, lime, cucumbers, or mint Avoid desserts loaded with sugar and substitute with fresh or baked fruit. Please read the labels, especially on condiments such as ketchup and barbeque sauce, because they are usually packed with tons of added sugars. Instead, substitute other healthier ways to flavor your food. Dried herbs and spices, vinegar or pesto sauce Use caution with canned foods, especially those packed in syrup, or have sugar in the ingredients. The nutrition label is supposed to provide the sugar and added sugar content, and the word “”high fructose corn syrup”” is added sugar in disguise. The ingredients are also listed with the most abundant at the top and the least at the bottom, so you should probably put that item back if you see sugar as the first or second ingredient. Incorporate healthy lean protein-rich foods into your diet as research shows that consuming protein promotes a feeling of fullness, so you end up less hungry while having more energy during your sugar detox. Adding more dietary fiber into your diet further helps to fight off hunger and cravings and contribute to healthy blood sugar regulation. Sugar addiction is real and affects millions of people, but there are ways to combat this sugar drug. Making simple adjustments along the course may be arduous at first, but in the end, your mind and body will thank you. Even the smallest changes can make a world of difference when it comes to added sugar intake, and remember, just because something says “”healthy”” does not mean it doesn’t contain sugar. Becoming addicted to sugar took time, but you can re-train your brain. Take that first step and start to curb your sugar cravings, so you can be the one to ring the winning bell at the end of your KO fight against the not-so-sweet treat called sugar. Sources: www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db122.pdf www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3109725/ pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23719144/ www.bioscience.org/2018/v23/af/4704/fulltext.htm www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4787559/ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5529244/ www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/Sugar-101_UCM_306024_Article.jsp#.Wp2EepPwZ-U www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/dietary-protein-its-role-in-satiety-energetics-weight-loss-and-health/CCA49F7254E34FF25FD08A78A05DECD7″