IS SUGAR ADDICTIVE? THE SCIENCE VS THE HEADLINES BY PAVITHRA KB
Jul 30
2 min read
I am Pavithra Kb a nutritionist at The Kenko Life.
“Sugar is as addictive as cocaine!”
“Quitting sugar is like going through withdrawal!”
We all have come across the above sentences. But are they actually true?
Let’s dig into the science behind these claims and separate sensationalism from substance.
The idea that sugar is “addictive” in the way drugs like nicotine or heroin are addictive has sparked fierce debate. On one side, researchers point to brain imaging studies showing that sugar lights up reward centers in the brain, releasing dopamine, the same feel-good neurotransmitter triggered by drugs. Many scientists argue that while sugar can lead to cravings and overconsumption, calling it a true addiction may be misleading. So, which is it?
Scientific explanation regarding sugar-
Sugar Does Stimulate the Brain’s Reward System: Sugar causes a release of dopamine in the brain. But the catch is : so do many pleasurable activities like laughing, listening to music, or hugging a loved one. Dopamine is not exclusive to addictive substances.
Rodent Studies vs. Human Reality: A lot of the “sugar is addictive” headlines come from studies on rats. In some experiments, rats given intermittent access to sugar binge on it and show signs of dependence. But these results don’t translate cleanly to humans. Why?
Rats were food-deprived before being given sugar—mimicking binge-like behavior.
Human eating habits and social behaviors are vastly more complex.
Cravings ≠ Addiction: Craving something sweet after a meal or using dessert to cope with stress doesn’t mean you’re addicted. Cravings can be psychological, driven by habits, emotional states, or even just cues. While strong, they’re not the same as physical dependency or withdrawal symptoms seen with drugs or alcohol.
What the Experts Say?
The American Psychiatric Association does not recognize sugar addiction as a clinical diagnosis. In fact, many addiction researchers caution against using the term “addiction” too loosely, as it can stigmatize normal behavior and distract from addressing the real drivers of overconsumption—like ultra-processed foods, marketing tactics, and food environments that make healthy eating harder.
Why the Headlines Exaggerate-
Sensational headlines grab attention and generate fear—both of which are good for clicks but not great for public understanding. Saying sugar is “like cocaine” is more dramatic than saying “our brains like sweet things and some people may have trouble moderating their intake.”
But nuance doesn’t go viral.
The Bottom Line-
Sugar can be habit-forming and lead to overeating, especially in the context of highly processed foods.
It activates reward pathways in the brain—but so do many non-addictive pleasures.
Cravings are real, but they aren’t the same as addiction.
Moderation and mindful eating are key—not fear and shame.