These days, many people are cutting back on sugar. But what effect does that have on our brain and appetite?
When we eat sugar, the brain sends out reward signals to the body. In the past, when sugar wasn’t as easily available, this didn’t cause problems. But nowadays, sugar is everywhere—yet we still receive those same rewarding signals. That makes it tempting to keep eating more sugar.
A small study found signs that removing sugar may actually increase the intensity of the brain’s reward response. In the study, participants followed a reduced-sugar diet for one week. In the following week, they reported feeling a stronger sense of reward from eating sugar.
If these findings are confirmed in larger groups, it could mean that cutting out sugar might actually make it harder to resist, not easier.
Sugar itself is not addictive and can be part of a healthy diet—as long as it’s consumed in moderation. For people who are overweight, reducing sugary products may be wise, since sugar adds calories without providing nutrients.