We already know that scientists proved Oreos can actually be as addictive as cocaine to some people. And we’ve all heard people say they have a sweet tooth (though personally, I’m more of a savory kind’a gal, if I’m being honest) or known someone who just can’t stop eating tons of sugar. Be it sodas and soft drinks, chocolates, candies, or baked goods, we all know that some people are just crazy sugar addicts, and even if you’re not a self-proclaimed lover of sweets, you probably consume your fair share of sugar in your day-to-day life without even realizing how much you’re taking in. In fact, added sugar often sneaks itself in to seemingly “healthy” foods like granola bars, yogurts, dried fruit, and various sauces.
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Too much sugar is obviously not good for your body, but how does sugar affect your brain? Well, this TED video explains it all, in a really cool animation. It also answers a question that many people often wonder: does eating sugary foods make you crave more sugary foods? I won’t give away the answer, but here’s a quick breakdown of what happens when you eat sugar:
Step 1. The sugars in your food activate the “sweet” receptors on your tongue
Step 2. The receptors send a signal to your brain
Step 3. The “rewards system” in your brain is activated
Step 3. Your brain decides how it makes your body feel and whether or not you should continue to do so.
This rewards system, as the video explains, is also activated by other non-food things, like drugs, sex, and more. However, if you keep the rewards system in your brain overactive, it can lead to some seriously bad things, like cravings and addiction.
The process of eating sugar, however, doesn’t stop there. If you want all the details of what happens to your brain and your body when you eat sugar, check out the video below:
