Sugar should be illegal as it is equally addictive as a drug - Copy
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Sugar should be illegal as it is equally addictive as a drug
Introduction
Imagine a substance that can cause obesity, diabetes, heart disease, tooth decay, and mood
disorders. Now imagine that this substance is widely available, cheap, and addictive. You might
think I’m talking about cocaine or heroin, but I’m actually talking about sugar. Over the past two
decades, sugar has emerged as one of the most consumed and abused substances in the world, yet
most people are unaware of its negative impacts on health and well-being. To many its taste as an
activator to the brain's reward system as it releases dopamine, providing energy and temporary
pleasure to the body while aiding in stress, boredom, and negative emotions. However, the
substance is equally harmful to the body if consumed in large quantity as it has been proven to be
as addictive as cocaine and heroin, and causes various health problems such as obesity, diabetes,
and heart disease. In a research study conducted by Harvard University found that people who
consumed more than 25% of their calories from added sugar had a 60% higher risk of dying
from cardiovascular disease than those who consumed less than 10% (Milnea)
. Similarly,
depression has been recognized to affects more than 16 million adults in the United States, and
anxiety affects more than 40 million. However most scholars and research studies claims that
high cases of depression occurs from high consumption of sugar interferes
with brain processing,
memory storage, and adaptability, lowering mood and increasing the risk of depression and
anxiety (Levi). If sugar is among the top contributors to health issues like depression would you
not want the government to regulate its usage? Therefore, today’s speech will focus on why
sugar should be illegal as it is equally addictive as a drug and has harmful effects on physical and
mental health.
Body
Sugar is addictive because it stimulates the same reward system in the brain as drugs like
cocaine and heroin. The reward system is a network of brain regions that are activated by
rewarding stimuli, such as food, sex, or drugs.
In a research study conducted by Princeton
University on rats that binge on sugar develop signs of dependence, such as increased intake,
withdrawal symptoms, and cravings
.
It was also discovered that sugar activates the same brain
regions as drugs like cocaine and morphine (Avena et al. 10)
. Therefore, w
hen we consume sugar
the brain adapts to the repeated exposure to drugs and becomes dependent on them as the reward
system becomes overstimulated and less sensitive to natural rewards.
Hence, sugar creates a
cycle of addiction
similar to what happens in drug addiction
, where people consume more and
more to get the same pleasure and avoid the negative effects of withdrawal leading to overeating,
weight gain, and other health problems. Sugar is a threat to our health as its
addiction is a
problem for the waistline and the heart.
Secondly, sugar damages the cardiovascular system and increases the risk of heart
disease. Sugar affects the heart through weight gain, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and
high cholesterol. It also increases triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and
inflammation, which can stress the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease.
In a research study by Harvard University found that people who consumed more than 25% of
their calories from added sugar had a 60% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than
those who consumed less than 10% (Milnea)
. Similarly,
BMC Medicine found that diets high in
free sugars increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. The research, based on data from over
110,000 UK people aged 37 to 73, found that each 5% increase in free sugar intake was
associated with a 6% higher risk of heart disease and a 10% higher risk of stroke (Ede-Osifo).
Therefore, even moderate amounts of added sugar increased the risk of death from heart diseases
as sugar cause inflammation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and oxidative stress, which
are all factors that contribute to heart disease which is the leading cause of death in the United
States, killing more than 600,000 people every year ( Khatri). Therefore,
sugar does not only
affects the body, but also the mind.
Lastly,
sugar impairs cognitive function and mental health. Despite glucose being the
brain’s favorite energy source too much sugar
consumption can negatively impact cognitive
function and mental health, leading to impaired decision-making and memory. In a study at
UCLA on rats feeding on a high-sugar diet showed an impaired memory and learning abilities
compared to rats feeding on a normal diet. However, a reduced sugar levels of brain-derived
neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that is essential for brain health and mood regulation
(Kubala). In a human body consuming high levels of sugar-sweetened beverages impaired
neurocognitive functions like decision making and memory such as "food cravings" and increase
the risk of chronic diseases (Lindberg). High blood glucose levels can affect brain functional
connectivity, leading to atrophy or shrinkage, small-vessel disease, and cognitive difficulties
depression. Long-term diabetes can also cause brain atrophy and small-vessel disease, potentially
causing vascular dementia. Therefore, sugar interfere with the brain’s ability to process
information, store memories, and adapt to new situations. It also lower the mood and increase the
risk of depression and anxiety.
Typically, it is clear that
sugar is a dangerous substance that should be controlled as it is
equally addictive as a drug and has harmful effects on physical and mental health. To protect
ourselves and our society from the dangers of sugar, we should support policies that limit its
availability and consumption, such as taxing sugary products, banning advertising to children,
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and requiring warning labels on packaging. In addition Government can implement an evidence-
based interventions such as reformulating sugar-rich foods and drinks to lower sugar intakes.
Also set standards for all food and drink served by government-sponsored institutions. By doing
so, we can improve our health, happiness, and productivity.
Conclusion
I have informed you about the danger of consuming sugar and the need for the
government regulating its use if not illegalizing it. In addition, “we” as the general public we can
support policies that limit its availability and consumption to protect ourselves and our society
from the dangers of sugar. Therefore, as we depart to our various destinations, duties, or homes,
think about “what if your family member or relative suffers from diabetes due to the
consumption of sugar? You have to pay thousands of dollar to help manage health condition that
was caused by a product that is free sold as a health product for public consumptions? Imagine if
sugar never existed then these health condition could have not exited to cost thousands of dollars
to manage or loss of our loved ones. As a result, I challenge you to take the step in helping to
stop the use sugar, it has a negative impact on our health. I will leave you with a short message
and awareness on consumption of sugar to our health and the need for the government to regulate
or illegalized its usage. Please decide and take the first step considering your health is your
wealth.
Works cited
Avena, Nicole M., et al. “Sugar-dependent rats show enhanced responding for sugar after
abstinence: Evidence of a sugar deprivation effect.”
Physiology & Behavior
, vol. 84,
no. 3, 2005, pp. 359–362, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2004.12.016.
Ede-Osifo, Uwa. “High Sugar Intake Linked to Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke: Study.”
NBCNews.Com
, NBCUniversal News Group, 14 Feb. 2023,
www.nbcnews.com/health/heart-health/high-sugar-intake-risk-heart-disease-stroke-study-
rcna70406.
Khatri, Minesh. “Sugar Addiction Facts: Cravings, Hidden Sugar, and More.”
WebMD
, WebMD,
24 Apr. 2022, www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-sugar-addiction.
Kubala, Jillian. “11 Reasons Why Too Much Sugar Is Bad for You.”
Healthline
, Healthline
Media, 26 Sept. 2022, www.healthline.com/nutrition/too-much-sugar.
Levi, Anthea. “This Is What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Sugar.”
Health
, 29 Jan. 2023,
www.health.com/nutrition/sugar-health-effects.
Lindberg, Sara. “Your Anxiety Loves Sugar. Eat These 3 Things Instead.”
Healthline
, Healthline
Media, 23 June 2020, www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-sugar-harms-mental-
health#Is-it-time-to-ditch-sugar?
Milnea. “How to Break Your Sugar Addiction.”
Cleveland Clinic
, Cleveland Clinic, 6 Apr. 2023,
health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-sugar-cravings/.