All articles tagged with #sugar
A study found that adults’ preference for sweet taste stays stable even after six months of varying sweetness intake, suggesting that simply cutting back on sugar doesn’t curb cravings; experts advise addressing underlying triggers, fueling properly with protein, and delaying or balancing treats rather than forbidding them.
A six-month randomized trial found that changing how sweet foods are in people's diets did not alter their craving for sweetness or improve health markers like weight, heart disease risk, or diabetes risk. The researchers argue that public health guidance should focus on reducing overall sugar and calorie intake rather than simply cutting sweetness.
Dietitians say a balanced breakfast with protein, fiber and healthy fats stabilizes blood sugar and keeps you full through the morning; avoid high-sugar, ultra-processed or refined-carb breakfasts (like donuts or sugary cereals) as they cause insulin spikes and energy crashes. Opt for meals like eggs or Greek yogurt with berries and nuts, oats with fruit and nut butter, and healthy fats from avocado or olive oil, plus whole grains and fortified dairy or plant milks to boost nutrients. Reducing morning sugar can lead to steadier energy and fewer cravings.
RFK Jr. used a rally to press Dunkin’ Donuts for safety data on the high sugar content of iced coffees, prompting pushback from Massachusetts leaders while supporters defend the chain; Dunkin’ has not yet commented, and Kennedy continues to frame the issue within his health-focused push for “real food.”
RFK Jr. used a rally to push closing the GRAS safety loophole and to demand that Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks show safety data for an iced coffee with 115 grams of sugar, triggering backlash in Massachusetts and New England and prompting a response from Gov. Healey.
Health Secretary RFK Jr. urged Dunkin Donuts (and Starbucks) to provide safety data for high-sugar iced coffee, signaling potential regulatory moves to remove ingredients without proven safety as part of a broader push to tighten ultraprocessed foods.
A neuroscience study using fMRI with 99 healthy adults shows that what people expect about a beverage’s sugar content can dramatically change how the brain’s reward system processes sweetness: thinking a drink contains sugar boosts the reward response to artificial sweeteners, while thinking it’s diet makes real sugar less pleasant. The dopaminergic midbrain was identified as key in this effect, highlighting how labeling and expectations can influence food choices and may inform dietary messaging.
The article argues that while added sugars are linked to diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, naturally occurring sugars in fruit and whole foods come with fiber and nutrients and are not worrisome. Dietary guidelines aim to limit added sugars, especially in drinks, rather than abolish sugar entirely. The piece also cautions against extreme zero-sugar diets and highlights metabolic flexibility—the ability to adapt to different energy sources—as a reason to avoid strict elimination. The takeaway is to keep added sugar on the low side, enjoy fruits and whole grains, limit sugary beverages, and avoid food anxiety or orthorexia while allowing occasional treats at celebrations.
Giving up sugar for Lent can reveal how sugar acts on the brain’s reward system—driving dopamine signaling in the mesolimbic pathway, altering D1/D2 receptor balance and dopamine transport—similar to drugs of abuse; rodent studies show bingeing, withdrawal, and impulsivity; in humans, about 40 days off sugar may reset some neural sensitivity and reduce cravings, though effects vary by person.
A 2025 randomized trial (The Sweet Tooth Trial) found that six months of low-, regular-, or high-sweetness exposure did not change participants’ preference for sweetness or health markers. Cravings aren’t eliminated by restriction; explanations include sensory adaptation, blood sugar stabilization, and psychological factors. The takeaway is to stop trying to biohack away your sweetness and instead adopt a balanced approach: ensure adequate protein and fiber, avoid treating sugar as forbidden, and enjoy sweets in moderation as part of a nourishing diet.
Experts say protein bars can be convenient when a meal isn’t possible, but they aren’t a health shortcut: many contain artificial ingredients and sugar alcohols, so choose bars with simple, recognizable ingredients and limit intake; for most people, meeting protein and fiber needs through whole foods is preferable to relying on bars.
Sugar activates the brain’s reward system and comes as glucose or fructose, which are processed differently: glucose prompts insulin release and energy storage, while fructose is sent to the liver and can be converted to fat. In excess, both raise triglycerides and may raise heart- and liver-related risks; repeated insulin spikes can fuel inflammation. The so-called 'sugar rush' is largely a myth, and when a sugar-induced dip occurs, people tend to eat more later. Timing matters: morning glucose responses are usually more favorable, and having sugar as part of a balanced meal with fiber, healthy fats, and protein helps blunt spikes. Moderation is best; avoid late-day sugar and be cautious with sugar substitutes, which may impact the gut/oral microbiome and can, in some cases, convert to fructose. Given that many people regularly eat sugary snacks (about 84% daily, with 79% up to three), reducing intake is sensible rather than demonizing it.
Consuming liquid sugar, especially through sugary drinks like soda and sweetened beverages, can cause long-term brain damage by inducing inflammation, insulin resistance, and cognitive decline, with particularly harmful effects on children and young adults. Artificial sweeteners may also accelerate mental decline, and reducing sugar intake by choosing healthier alternatives can help protect brain health.
Consuming liquid sugar, especially in sugary drinks like soda and sweetened beverages, can cause long-term brain damage by leading to insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which impair memory, focus, and increase dementia risk. Early exposure in children is linked to attention problems and ADHD, and artificial sweeteners may also accelerate cognitive decline. Reducing intake and replacing sugary drinks with water or unsweetened beverages can help protect brain health.
After a night of overindulging in sugar, dietitians recommend returning to your normal routine without restriction, starting with a protein- and fiber-rich breakfast, eating balanced meals throughout the day, staying hydrated, moving your body, and practicing self-kindness to break the binge-restrict cycle.