A cardiologist in London said sugar is so addictive, and has such an adverse effect on consumers, that it’s actually a danger to society at large and should be regulated like alcohol.
“It’s toxic, unavoidable, capable of abuse and has as negative impact on society,” said Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a cardiologist and member of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges obesity group, comparing the characteristics of sugar with alcohol and finding four that are similar, The Daily Mail reported.
His push for regulation comes on the heels of recent studies that show sugar could be more addictive than recreational drugs.
Lab rats in a 2007 study were fed cocaine, and then given a choice to consume more cocaine or sugar – and time after time, they went for the sugar, scientists found, The Daily Mail reported.
Meanwhile, sugar consumption has been linked to many health problems, from teeth decay to diabetes to obesity. And its addictive features are only lately coming to light. One sign of addition: headaches, during withdrawal.
“Migraines tend to be triggered by changes, such as a change in sleep patterns or what you’re eating,” said Dr. Andy Dowson, the director of headache services at King’s College in London, in The Daily Mail. “If you have a lot of sugar, your body can over-react and deal with it very quickly, so you blood sugar levels peak and then trough. This can be a trigger for headaches and migraines.”
Among the newest findings, too: Sugar can cause heart attacks. Sugar can cause dementia. And sugar is as hard on the liver as alcohol.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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