WHY IS SUGAR SO COMPELLING?
In a culture where access to sugar is ever increasing, our understanding of what it does to our health and how to incorporate it into a balanced approach to wellness seems more important than ever. I see many people in my practice struggling with sugar cravings and having growing concerns of the health issues associated with eating it in excess. So why does so much of our current food supply contain some form of sweetener to entice us? Whether it shows up as the obvious dessert item, or it is subtlety put into sauces, condiments or any other prepackaged meal you can imagine, it is undeniably everywhere. Having some understanding around our pull to the sweet stuff from an evolutionary as well as neurological standpoint gives us some insight around why it can be so compelling.
While we often link the taste of sweetness to enjoyment and pleasure, it likely played a bigger role historically for omnivorous hunters and gatherers looking for safe food sources. The sweet taste sensation was one way of discerning non-poisonous foods with a high nutrient-to-toxin ratio. In today’s world, we are often trying to avoid the calorie dense nature of what sweet foods offer, but that was not always the case.
Humans are wired to like sweetness. Modern science is uncovering the reward centers in our brains that are activated when we consume it. Studies are exploring the question of whether sugar has similar addictive properties to other substances known to create states of dependency. Using rats as the test subject, one study found that when encouraged into binge-like consumption, the animals experienced a dopamine and opioid release that resembles the neurological response to substances of abuse, albeit at a significantly smaller magnitude.
While science continues to investigate whether there is a chemically addictive potential for sugar in humans, sugar’s ability to release opioids and dopamine is noteworthy. Dopamine mediates pleasure in the brain and stimulates one to seek out pleasurable activities, and opioids have a calming and pain relieving effect. So if you are wondering why driving through a snowstorm to pick up a pint of ice cream at some unreasonable hour doesn’t seem out of the question, perhaps this gives you some understanding.
Evidence has also been found that indicates sugar can interfere with the normal signaling of the hormones ghrelin and leptin. These substances help control both appetite and satiety, so this leads to the concern that high consumptions of sugar can lead to over consumption in general. In particular, consuming sugar in a liquid form verses eating sweeteners in solid foods is especially problematic. Numerous studies over the years have shown that people fail to reduce their overall caloric intake to compensate for the extra calories they are taking in from sweetened beverages, which leads to an overall net gain.
In my practice, I have seen a wide range of experiences for people and their susceptibility to cravings for sugar. I don’t see it as a one-size fits all approach to helping someone find what works for them around their nutritional needs. Sweeteners can have their place in a healthy and nutrient dense diet, but for some it seems the susceptibility for this to get out of whack is greater. In Chinese Medicine, strong cravings can indicate imbalances in particular organ systems, so working to balance these systems can help regulate this. Acupuncture has also been found to help regulate the expression of leptin,
the hormone we discussed earlier that is connected to appetite and metabolism. Coupled with lifestyle and dietary adjustments, both cravings and excessive appetite can improve.
In light of what we know about sugar’s influence on the body, it isn’t surprising that consuming too much of it is rather commonplace. With more understanding, efforts to eliminate excessive sugar intake and the knowing that there are methods to help alleviate our pull to overindulge, perhaps a treat can eventually become an occasional pleasure instead of a daily stressor.
For further information or to schedule an appointment please contact Ramie Holmquist, L.Ac of Saint Sophia Acupuncture at Alison Palmer Physical Therapy and Wellness Center (#307-752-1799). We are located in the Cimarron Lodge at the bottom of lift 7. Wellness is the full integration of mind, body and spirit. We look forward to helping you towards a healthier life.