‘Snack Crack:’ Our Children’s Addiction to Sugar

In the article 'Snack Crack:' Our children's addiction to sugar, the author Chef Ann Cooper looks at the amount of sugar that is available to children in school, and in particular the drinks that are available for purchase, including flavored milk.

She finds that - according to studies undertaken by Dr Nicole Avena, Dr. Robert Lustig and the CDC - sugar behaves a little bit like a drug, harking back to the NYC kids calling it “snack crack.” 

• Over-consumption of sugar has addictive affects on the brain.
• Sugar is one of the few foods that causes dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, to be released, which can cause addiction.
• It impairs memory and learning skills.
• It may contribute to depression and anxiety.
• It’s also a risk factor for age-related cognitive decline and dementia.