Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia

What is the Similarity Between Sugary Syrup and Cocaine?

by Savitha C Muppala on May 24 2013 10:55 AM

 What is the Similarity Between Sugary Syrup and Cocaine?
Recent research has found that sugary syrup extensively used in processed foods like biscuits can trigger behavioral changes akin to the effect of cocaine.
Study into high fructose corn syrup found that it can cause behavioral changes very close to Class A drugs. This was tested in laboratory rats that were found to portray behavioral changes with high fructose corn syrup.

Professor Francesco Leri, who led the study, found that there is an addictive quality to foods high in sugar and this perhaps explains the global obesity epidemic.

"We have evidence in laboratory animals of a shared vulnerability to develop preferences for sweet foods and for cocaine. We are not rats, but our children do not think too much about the impact of sweets on their brain and behavior. There is now convincing neurobiological and behavioral evidence indicating that addiction to food is possible."

This study points out that just as people can be addicted to drugs of abuse, they can also get addicted to food. Countries which use large amounts of HFCS portray higher incidences of diabetes. The study found high rates of HFCS consumption in The US.

Source-Medindia


Latest Diet & Nutrition News
View All
Advertisement