Is Your Sweet Tooth CHANGING Your Brain?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 30, 2020
Dear Reader,
Sugar is in almost everything we eat.
Everyone knows that sugar gives you a burst of energy (followed by a hard crash later on).
And while we all love sugar, no one takes seriously the fact that sugar acts like a drug.
That is, until now…
We should know that sugar lights up our brains like a drug because of the way we crave, desire, and sometimes fight over the white stuff (especially kids).
And a recent study might just prove it…
Out of Denmark, published in the journal Scientific Reports, scientists found that sugar influences our brain’s reward center in essentially the same way as addictive drugs.
To figure this out, the research team used pigs.
They chose pigs because the scientists can put them through multiple brain scans that we wouldn’t want to put humans through. Modern humans have another problem: there are many non-drug things (cell phones, internet…) that light up our brains like drugs.
In the study, pigs consumed sugar water for twelve days. The scientists examined their brain chemistry throughout the entire study.
Interestingly, the lead author of this study set out to prove that sugar did NOTHING extraordinary to our brains – boy was he surprised!
There were observable changes in the pig’s brains after only one day.
After twelve days, the study team could see major changes in the brain’s dopamine and opioid systems.
You may know the opioid system; it is the part of the brain that responds to opioid drugs and is associated with feelings of well-being and pleasure.
Dopamine is similar. Whenever your brain has a positive experience (like falling in love, or learning something new, or hitting a baseball over a fence) the brain sends out a reward using neurotransmitters like dopamine.
The researchers found that sugar changes the brain’s reward system after only twelve days.
Clearly sugar is drug-like and that means kicking it out of your life requires you to treat it like any other addiction: expect cravings, headaches, feeling flu-like… and that craving is with you for a lifetime.
Staying away from sugar will pay off in the end with a longer, healthier, and fuller life.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...
Common Antidepressants Linked to Silent Brain Damage
If you’re among the millions taking prescription antidepressants, I have some concerning news. A major study has uncovered a disturbing link between common antidepressants and a growing brain problem. And if you’re taking an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), you may find yourself in the crosshairs. Swedish researchers recently uncovered this troubling connection. They found...
Mailbag: Tinnitus Solutions Silence the Noise Naturally
“What do you recommend for getting rid of tinnitus? Does it lead to dementia?” -Annoyed By Noise Tinnitus—the maddening ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in your ears—can drive anyone up the wall. This common condition affects an estimated 749 million people worldwide, producing phantom sounds that aren’t caused by external sources. Tinnitus strikes seniors more than...
Paxlovid’s Promise Falls Flat (Not Worth the Price Tag?)
It looks like Big Pharma has done it again. Remember when Paxlovid was rolled out with great fanfare—promising it would be a game-changer for COVID-19 patients? Pfizer executives certainly hoped you were paying attention—especially while they were charging a whopping $1,650 per treatment. But a new study suggests this expensive medication might not be worth...
The Juicy Secret to Fighting Muscle Loss
I’ve said it before—maintaining muscle mass is as we age is critical. It allows us to remain independent, protects against injuries, and plays a vital role in our metabolic health. I’ll get to those benefits in just a moment—but first, I want to share some exciting news with you. Researchers recently discovered that a tasty...