They don’t call it a “sugar high” for nothing.
When you gobble down sugar, it’s not just a high-flying quick burst of energy you get, but something a whole lot closer to an actual DRUG high.
And calling a snack “addictive” is more than just a figure of speech. It really IS addictive – and we’re ALL addicts.
New research reveals the truth about sugar and why it’s so hard to quit. And it turns out the sweet stuff is a lot like the bad stuff. It hits all those same buttons in the brain as actual drugs.
But I’ve got a solution. It’s a way to help you break the cycle, end the addiction, and finally get off the sugar train once and for all.
The best part? You won’t even need rehab.
End the cravings and defeat sugar addiction
They call it the pleasure center of the brain. And they named it right. It’s the region that lights up like a Christmas tree when something feels good.
Falling in love. Laughing at a comedy club. And, of course, the ultimate pleasure – the one in the bedroom. They all trigger that rush.
But they aren’t the only ways to flip the switch up there, of course. Some things activate it artificially, like drugs, and, as the new study shows, SUGAR.
In experiments on pigs, researchers found that a single dose of sugar activated the brain’s dopamine and opioid systems. And that activation leads to that sense of well-being and pleasure we love to chase. It’s THAT very feeling that can become so addictive.
And sure enough, that’s EXACTLY what happened next.
After 12 days of getting a sugar solution for just one hour each day, the researchers spotted “major changes” in the oinker’s brains. And those changes were especially apparent in those all-important dopamine and opioid systems.
In other words, the pigs had become addicted to sugar.
We’re not pigs, of course. (Well most of us, anyway.) But scientists say the same thing happens in our own brains when WE indulge in sugar. And, if we’re being honest, we certainly can see… and FEEL… those same changes inside our own minds.
It’s why so many of us can’t seem to quit sugar. And it’s why that term “junk food junkie” isn’t just a joke anymore.
Yet because sugar isn’t a drug, it’s easy to get your hands on it. In fact, you could stroll to the kitchen right now to feed the addiction.
And because there’s no stoner-style high after we eat it, we don’t recognize it for the real addiction it is. But let’s face it… we ARE HOOKED.
And it is time to quit before we face the ultimate consequences of the addiction, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, heart failure, and even certain forms of cancer that are fueled by sugars.
3 step solution for quitting the sweet stuff
Of course, quitting is easier said than done. Because like any other addiction, a sugar habit is tough to break. But, chin up, it’s NOT impossible. In fact, it can be broken down into three basic steps.
First, go cold turkey. Don’t try cutting back on sugar. And definitely don’t try replacing real sugar with the fake stuff. Just quit.
Second, eat more protein and healthy fats instead. These will help keep you feeling full, so you’re less tempted to give in to sugar-filled snack attacks.
Third, manage your stress levels. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which causes your blood sugar to spike. That, in turn, can lead to a sugar craving as the levels drop again.
Quitting sugar will be challenging at first. But if you fall off the wagon, just climb back aboard.
And the good news is that it generally takes just a little longer than two months for any new practice to become an ingrained habit. So long before we hit summertime, your new no-added-sugar lifestyle will be second nature.
For a little more help along the way, look for a supplement that includes an extract of the spice saffron. Research shows saffron can help block sugar cravings making it easier for you to stick to the plan.
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