Dear reader, this article discusses eating, addiction, and other sensitive topics. Reader's discretion is advised.
When a 2008 study reported that refined sugar could be addicting, it sparked a slew of buzzy headlines and the infamous claim that “sugar is as addicting as cocaine.” This has since created a certain stigma around sugar and led to shifts in diet culture.
The claim itself is easy enough to believe. How often does someone only have one piece of candy? Or only indulge in one Oreo? We may not eat a lot of sweets at home, but when a box of donuts or a tray of cookies is left at the office, it almost feels like a primal instinct takes over, and a desire for sweets skyrockets.
After an abundance of in-office treat days, I felt a need to do a “sugar detox” because I felt that I was addicted to sugar. I was seeing health and detox ads scroll across my social media feeds anyway, so I thought, why not give a sugar detox a try?
However, through my research, I quickly found that claiming sugar is as addicting as hard drugs is actually a bit of a stretch. Sugar isn’t a complex carbohydrate, but understanding it is. Here’s what I learned during my sugar detox and why it might not be the best for your health.
