Here is an interesting study that I was pointed to on the CrossFit Message Board:
Intense Sweetness Surpasses Cocaine Reward

First, the methodology (from the abstract…more information follows in the full text):

Here we report that when rats were allowed to choose mutually-exclusively between water sweetened with saccharin–an intense calorie-free sweetener–and intravenous cocaine–a highly addictive and harmful substance–the large majority of animals (94%) preferred the sweet taste of saccharin.

So first of all, it’s a rat study, which don’t have complete carryover to humans. The rats could choose, 8 times per day, between sugar and cocaine and almost invariably chose the sugar, even when faced with increasing doses of cocaine. The rats were allowed to sample the levers each day so they could be acquainted with the rewards and choose based on their preference. Even already cocaine-addicted rats switched to the sugar water.

And part of the conclusion (again from the abstract):

In most mammals, including rats and humans, sweet receptors evolved in ancestral environments poor in sugars and are thus not adapted to high concentrations of sweet tastants. The supranormal stimulation of these receptors by sugar-rich diets, such as those now widely available in modern societies, would generate a supranormal reward signal in the brain, with the potential to override self-control mechanisms and thus to lead to addiction.

Basically, we evolved highly sugar-sensitive receptors so that our ancestors could easily find concentrated sources of sugar (i.e., calories). We also have a sensitive fat receptor. Protein has very little taste in the absence of fat or sugar. This highly sensitive receptor allows overly sweetened foods to be addictive. We are hardwired to consume as much sugar as possible because we don’t know when the next famine will bring a dearth of calories.

The researchers did find that the effects of saccharin were more immediate than those of cocaine and delayed the response of the saccharin lever. The number of rats choosing saccharin over cocaine didn’t decrease significantly. The rats were even willing to work harder to get the saccharin by being forced to press the lever more times to get the dose. Anyway, there’s a good deal more information in the article, but I think I touched on most of the important points. Feel free to comment about anything I missed.

Now, I’ve never tried cocaine. And I’ve never been truly addicted to sugar, so I can’t specifically speak to either of them. But I do know that it’s hard to eat “just a little” sugar. If I stimulate the sugar taste buds with a bite, I’m driven to go back for another and another bite. I don’t think I’m alone there either. From what I’ve heard about cocaine, the drive is similar. Once you have a hit, you just want more because it’s such a rush. (I’m not advocating trying cocaine to test this out!) The reality is that, for all intents and purposes, it doesn’t really matter which is more addictive. Sure, it makes a nice headline to say “Sugar more addictive than one of the most powerful drugs!” but the truth is, simply, sugar is extremely addictive. We all know people that simply can’t resist sugar if it’s nearby. The other truth is that you will do your health an invaluable favor to ditch sugar from your diet.

And with that, I should go get ready to start feasting. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!


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