Jimmy Kimmel put together his annual collection of videos of torturous parents who pretended to eat their children's Halloween candy.  This year did not disappoint with hysterical but adorable kids showing their hilarious reactions.  Yes, the need for a sugar fix can be quite overwhelming as so many of us can attest to.  As a matter of fact, just last week a study out of Connecticut College came out that Oreos are More Addictive than Cocaine, well, at least to rats.  

The sudy showed that mice preferred Oreos over rice cakes (duh...) but then when compared to Cocaine, the mice still preferred the Oreos.  Apparently the pleasure center in the brains of the mice showed a higher response to Oreos than Cocaine.  

Now, I'm sure that there have been, and will continue to be rather unscientific but convincing studies all over the globe of kids and adults alike proving the Oreo Cookie's addicitive stimulation of the brain's pleasure center.  Milk dunking may or may not enhance these results.

The big question is can we go so far in saying that sugar in general, is addicitve?  Perhaps most of us know that answer.  Was my dad addicted to sugar in the early years when he brought home a dozen donuts every night after work (and scarfed down all of them but the one he gave to my mother)?  How about those Hershey Kisses I used to stockpile (and run out, and then stockpile,...) for my sugar fixes during my pre-Health Coach days?   We just have to take a look at the above Jimmy Kimmel video to catch a glimpse of how children feel about their sugar.  While funny, it is very telling of the effects of sugar.

That sugar craving comes from an increased blood flow to the region of the brain's reward center.  Studies have suggested that sugar may trigger a neurophysical response similar to that involved in addiction.  After all, cravings are one of the hallmarks of addiction.  

So, could something that tastes so good be so bad?  The sad is news is yes.  Sugar is inflammatory.  It promotes the kind of dangerous growth of fat cells around your viatal organs that promote diabetes and heart disease (yes, much more so than cholesterol!).  It also is a well documented cancer feeder, speeds up the aging process, kills the good bacteria in your gut leading to autoimmune disease and is the leading cause of obesity.  I know, all of that from that innocent looking Halloween candy, Oreos and endless others.

Believe it or not, you can get off the sugar roller coaster with an even sweeter life of good health after sugar.  Once you get over the hump, you will actually begin to really taste other food more distinctly and enjoy it.  Curb your cravings by:

What do you think?   Let's have a conversation  Jill the Health Coach FB page

All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction.  No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication;instead readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being.  The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.