Oct 2, 2019 | Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles | The Science Behind Sugar Addiction: Links to Obesity and Overeating

Obesity is the second leading preventable cause of death, with rates continuing to rise. Studies suggest that there are common brain systems that underlie eating and addiction, and we hypothesize that overeating of sugar can lead to an addiction-like state characterized by bingeing, withdrawal, craving and other DSM-V criteria for substance dependence. This presentation will review data from animal models and clinical studies that suggest overeating of sugar and highly processed foods can lead to behaviors that are similar to those seen with addiction to drugs of abuse. Also, addiction-like alterations in the dopamine, opioid and cholinergic systems are noted in response to overeating sugar.

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