I know I’m a sugar addict. If I take just one bite, it’s all over. I’m sucked into a vacuum of a few more bites…and a few more…and a few more…until I’m finally eating more sugar than I am real food. It doesn’t happen right away. It usually takes me a few weeks to be back in a place where I start feeling like crap (excuse my language), trying to muddle through brain fog, and wondering why the heck I let myself fall into old habits again.
So, I admit that.
But, it doesn’t really help my situation.
That stuff is addicting!
But does that mean it should be regulated?
A commentary in the February issue of Nature written by Robert H. Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist, and his colleagues Laura A. Schmidt and Claire D. Brindis, argue that it should. They base their argument that sugar consumption needs to be forcibly cut from our diets on the many studies that have shown the damage excessive sugar consumption can wreak on a body.
The authors state that sugar and alcohol are both addictive and when consumed, trigger the same “I need more” part of the brain. They also argue that, “it’s unavoidable, there’s potential for abuse, it’s toxic, and it negatively impacts society.”. You can navigate here for further information about it’s treatments.
I think we can pretty much all agree sugar isn’t good for us. And most people would probably like to consume less. Lustig and his colleagues propose the the government regulate sugar like it does tobacco and alcohol–with taxes, age restrictions, and limiting the amount that is distributed. I don’t even know how this is possible. And you may not feel that the governments should even be regulating tobacco and alcohol. Personally, as much as I hate sugar and what it does to me, I don’t think it’s the government’s job to keep me from eating it. I’m in charge of what I put into my body.
You can check out a few more articles HERE and HERE.
So, what do you think about this? Should the government be trying to save us from ourselves? Should it regulate sugar just as it does tobacco and alcohol?
Andrea says
I hate the government regulating anything to do with my food choices because it always seems they regulate on the wrong side…(i.e. raw milk…) I imagine if they start meddling in sugar regulation it will be geared towards raw local honey and unrefined sources first before they even begin to look at refined sugar and HFCS products. Although I do believe that sugar consumption is a huge problem in our country and along with wheat probably the root of the obesity surge.
radlandon says
I agree–it would be nice to see the government cutting BACK on regulation instead of going the other way.
Lorri says
I couldn’t agree with you more. I really resent being treated like a child which is what regulating food is all about. Tell me what I need to know and let me take it from there. If I want a cookie and a glass of chardonnay, I’ll have it. I do adore Dr. Lustig but I don’t like his thinking on this issue.