In some U.S. states, more than 50% of the population is obese. This signals a severe public health issue, especially since obesity carries significant physical and psychological risks and lowers life expectancy. Even young kids are affected by obesity at unprecedented rates. Why is this happening? Does it really come down to a lack of determination to eat better?

Or could the foods themselves be addictive, just like alcohol and other drugs? Could we take it a step further and say that certain substances—sugar in particular—actually ARE drugs?

Nicole Avena is a neuroscientist and consultant on nutrition, diet, and food addiction. She’s also the author of Sugarless: A 7-Step Plan to Uncover Hidden Sugars, Curb Your Cravings, and Conquer Your Addiction, which zeroes in on what sugar is, where it hides in our everyday food and drink, how it affects people’s health, and how to reduce sugar intake to improve wellbeing and longevity.

Press play to explore:

• Communication between the gut microbiome and brain: how it encourages sugar and food addiction
• An evolutionary explanation for why we crave sugar (hint: sugar equals safety)
• How the “fat is bad” fad in the early 90s might have catalyzed a societal sugar addiction
• What it feels like to have sugar withdrawal symptoms
• How “sensory-specific satiety” is used by companies to profit at the expense of people’s health

Don’t miss this important podcast.

Tune in now and visit Dr Nicole Avena – Official Website to learn more.

Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr