America's Sugar Addiction

Sugar dependency has become one of the largest contributors to America's health problems. The average American consumes 22-30 teaspoons of sugar each day while the recommended dose for males and females varies from 6-9 teaspoons. National Library of Medicine has linked sugar to the development of:

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Obesity

• Fatty liver disease

• High cholesterol

• Hypertension

There is more evidence to suggest a possible link between dementia and sugar, and even various cancers. 

My friends and I have all "joked" about being addicted to sugar at some point. I've noted how when I don't eat processed sugar for a while, I crave it less. As soon as I eat a cookie again, it becomes a necessity to have a sugary treat daily. I wanted to know what exactly was going on in, I knew sugar was bad for me, but I didn't grasp exactly how real of an addiction it is. 

According to Psychology Today, sugar causes cravings and has addictive properties. It is known to activate dopamine reward pathways in our brains similar to the way cocaine works. Eating more sugar also creates a higher tolerance, by causing a downregulation of dopamine receptors. 

Simply quitting sugar can cause withdrawal symptoms for many individuals.  These may include:

• A lower mood

• Anxiety

• Difficulty Concentrating

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

How can cut back our sugar intake? Healthline offers come great advice.

Drink more water and less sugary drinks. 

Start your day with more protein rather than a sugary cereal.

Choose unsweetened snacks and pay attention to the ingredients. Sugar is sneaky! Things advertised as healthy can be loaded with sugar. 

Instead of abandoning sweetness all together, I try to find drinks using monk fruit or honey. If I bake cookies, I swap a spoonful of honey for sometimes a full cup of sugar. These small changes daily help and a lower sugar intake overall, aids in better energy and overall health.