Sugar influences brain reward circuits in a similar way to that found when using addictive drugs, warn researchers at the University of Aarhus in Denmark.
The study’s lead author, Professor Michael Winterdahl, said in a statement that he hoped his work would “kill the myth” that sugar has an impact on the brain and behavior. Rather, he had a surprise. He and his colleagues supplied seven liters of sweet water to seven pigs daily for 12 days. Animal brain shots were taken at the start of the experiment, after the first day and after the 12th day.
Pig brains are more complex than mice, the researchers said, and their size allows deep structures to be examined with the same devices as those used in humans. Significant changes have been measured after day 12 in the brain’s dopamine and opioid production systems. The opioid system, which is associated with well-being and pleasure, was activated from the first dose of sugar.
Since we are all looking for the largest and fastest possible dose of dopamine, said Professor Winterdahl, it is understandable that sugar and other “artificial” stimuli will quickly supplant “natural” stimuli like learning and interactions. social. The findings of this study are published by Scientific Reports.
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