Scientists argue that sugar is more addictive than cocaine

A heated debate is taking place among scientists when one party thinks it is necessary to view sugar as an addiction, while the other side views the idea as a 'farce'.

An article in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reviews that sugar can cause effects like alcohol and other drugs.

In addition, sugar, cocaine or opium are all purified from plants into pure white crystals - the process the article calls 'significantly increases their addictive properties'.

More addictive than cocaine

'Sugar consumption brings about the same impact as cocaine, which changes the psychological state, can even cause lust and lead to finding a way to be satisfied,' the authors write.

They cite studies in mice that show that sweeteners are "sexier" than cocaine and that these mice must be detoxified.

Controversy about the addictive nature of the road is definitely going on in the future - (Photo: Fitlife.tv).

Talking to The Guardian, DiNicolantonio - one of the three scientists who carried out the study, said that consuming a lot of sugar could cause a great danger: 'In animals, sugar is more addictive than cocaine, so It can be said that sugar can be the most consumed drug in the world and it is destroying our health. '

This is not the first group to question whether or not sugar should be viewed as an addictive substance.

Robert Lustig, professor of pediatrics at the University of California, said he shares the same opinion with DiNicolantonio's research team.

'I absolutely believe that sugar can be addictive based on the metabolic properties as well as the trait that makes it craving ,' Lustig said.

The professor had previously argued that food contained a lot of sugar like 'an alcoholic drink for children'.

As a 'farce'

This article faced a strong reaction from various scientific fields. Scientists believe that although sugar contributes to health problems, it is not addictive or a harmful drug.

Hisham Ziaudden - a neurologist from Cambridge University, said the trio of scientists confused the results of a rodent study and said he was co-author of a study last year that disagreed with The view that sugar is addictive for humans.

Scientists believe that though sugar contributes to health problems, it is not addictive.

'Research for these animals can only eat sugar for 2 hours a day. If you allow them to eat whenever they want, of course they don't have the expression of addiction , 'Ziaudden said.

He also said that it is not surprising that cocaine-eating mice prefer to eat sugar, because many animals naturally find sweetener rather than cocaine.

Tom Sanders - emeritus professor of nutrition at King University (London) thinks that this is like a 'farce' when considering that sugar is an addictive substance like ice drug.

'It is true that sweetness can cause addictive symptoms but it is not like cocaine or opium. People don't have withdrawal symptoms when they stop using sugar , 'Sanders said.

Sanders also thinks that sweetness in humans is a natural and sweet trait that helps us identify foods rich in vitamin C.

"The main problem affecting health here is that eating sweet easily leads to tooth decay or consumption of drinks containing too much sugar can contribute to obesity ," Sanders said.