Sugar Is As Addictive And Harmful As Alcohol Or Tobacco

The dangers and risks related to using artificial sweeteners are well know. In view to the latest findings of the world’s leading researches and scientists, a group of nutritionists and experts from University of California released a statement in which they offer to launch special programs directed on regulating and controlling national consumption of sugar and other artificial sweeteners. The experts are convinced that sugar is not less harmful and addictive than tobacco or alcohol. It is possible to read the reviews and comments in the latest issue of the journal Nature.

Controlling production and imposing taxes on unhealthy substances and unhealthy foods is a very common practice in many developed countries of the world. In particular, French government has launched taxes on sweet carbonated drinks, the government of Hungary imposed a tax on saturated fats, and so did the government of Denmark. Undoubtedly, imposing taxes and taking manufacturing under strict governmental control is linked to certain changes in public policies. Taking this into account, the experts from the Food and Drink Federation question the effectiveness of such control measures as to sugar and sweetener consumption.

The specialists point on the fact that according to the statistics, for the last 50 years sugar consumption and artificial sweeteners use have almost tripled. Therefore, such public concerns and social health problems as obesity, hypertension (increased blood pressure), type 2 diabetes, and others, could be a response to an increased consumption of sugar. Besides, the findings of some studies have shown that sugar and artificial sweeteners can cause dependence and play a role of highly addictive substances, that can also lead to quite harmful and dangerous consequences like obesity, cardiovascular problems, and so on.

That is why Prof Lustig, a professor of paediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, underlines the danger of the situation. “It [sugar] meets all the criteria for societal intervention that alcohol and tobacco meet,” he said to the American mass media. The scientists are aware about the fact that the situation has a very strong political taste and the battle for public health can turn into a really fierce fight. However, they remember public concerns and polemics the surrounded bans on tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption decades ago. “These simple measures – which have all been on the battleground of American politics – are now taken for granted as essential tools for our public health and well-being. It’s time to turn our attention to sugar,” it is said in the report.

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.

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