sugar: Say no to sugary drinks: they create an addiction

WASHINGTON DC. [USA]In addition to being harmful, sugary drinks can also be addictive, researchers at the University of California said in a study published in the journal Appetite.

The study results also suggest that young people aged 13 to 18, deprived of sugary drinks for only three days, reported headaches, cravings, and other withdrawal symptoms.

The 25 participants in this exploratory study reported consuming normally at least three sugary drinks a day before the study and were informed that they were participating in a study exploring "How Sodium Bicarbonate Affects Teen Health" .

Young people reported the following specific symptoms during the three-day period of stopping the consumption of sugary drinks: increased headache, decreased motivation to work, lack of contentment and ability to concentrate, appetite sweet drinks and lowering the level of general wellbeing.

"Many studies suggest that sugary drinks contribute to a number of chronic diseases, and our findings – that these beverages may have addictive properties – make their ubiquitous availability and publicity among young people even more of a public health concern," said Jennifer Falbe. , lead author of the article.

The teenagers, all overweight, were instructed to consume their usual drinks for five days, then three days later, to consume only water or plain milk. They were reimbursed for their travels and received up to $ 160 for their participation.

Among the nine participants, some were missing, usually because of the consumption of flavored milk instead of plain milk.

The study found that the results were consistent with previous research that revealed the potential for sugar dependence, a relatively new but growing field, with parallels to addiction. In addition, according to researchers, the study was necessary because the consumption of sugary drinks among teens had increased fivefold since the 1950s and that adolescence was a good time for addiction.

According to the report, youth consume the largest amount of sugary drinks and have recorded the largest relative gains in obesity over the last few decades.

"These findings, combined with current and future corroborating evidence, could inform clinical practice to help adolescents reduce their consumption of sugary drinks, to have important consequences for the dissemination of messages in public health campaigns." and the need to reduce advertising for soft drinks to young people and the availability of these drinks in and around schools, "the report concludes.