Many people can't resist scoffing a red velvet cupcake, and others find it easy to eat a family-sized bar of chocolate all by themselves. Experts have uncovered some surprising information that is set to stun those of you obsessed with sweet treats, however.

 

Researchers believe that sugar and cocaine have a similar effect on your brain. They have stated that sugar should be called a ‘gateway drug’.

 

A recent study has led experts to believe sugar is also just as addictive as cocaine.

 

The study, titled Sugar addiction: is it real?, analysed the impact sugar had on the brains of animals.

 

The researchers said, “Sugar has been found to produce more symptoms than is required to be considered an addictive substance.”

 

 

The experiment that was carried out on animals found that the effects sugar had on the brain matched the ones drugs tend to have including withdrawal, cross-sensitisation, tolerance and binging.

 

The team found that there was a substantial amount of evidence supporting their point that sugar and cocaine have the same effects on both human and animal brains.

 

The experts believe that the sugar may act as a gateway to harmful substances including alcohol, cocaine and other drugs, “Sugar addiction seems to be dependence to the natural endogenous opioids that get released upon sugar intake.”

 

Researchers found that there is an overlap between hard drugs and sugar, especially when it comes to one's behaviour and brain neurochemistry.

 

 

It is believed that people are now consuming more sugar than ever before. The recommended daily intake of sugar for men is nine teaspoons, a woman’s daily intake is five teaspoons, and children’s recommended sugar intake is three teaspoons.

 

Consuming too much sugar can have a negative impact on your health. When you eat sugar, it enters your bloodstream. An overload of sugar can stress out your heart. It is known that copious amounts of glucose can weaken your heart’s muscles.

 

A high sugar intake can also have a poor impact on your kidneys. One of the main functions of the kidneys is to filter your blood, and medical professionals state that increased levels of sugar in your blood can overwork your kidneys.

 

One of the main causes of type 2 diabetes is an excessive blood sugar level.

 

This study was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

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