The high consumption of sugar leads, according to a study conducted in rats by researchers from Princeton University in the United States. The research work shows anxiety and relapse behaviors in sugar consumption. Research and relapse are critical components of addiction and have demonstrated different ways these behaviors in rats that consume excessive sugar. The findings could have future implications in the treatment of human eating disorders. After conducting several tests, his motivation had grown sugar. After they withdrew sugar, drink more alcohol than normal rats, showing that excessive consumption of sugar had forced changes in brain functioning. These features served as gateways to other mechanisms of destructive behavior as a higher alcohol. Furthermore, when dose of Amphetamine minimum before it would have affected the animals turned hyperactive. The researchers also found that when rats take a sweetened drink in a brain region called the nucleus acumbens, released dopamine, a hormone. It is believed that this signaling mechanism triggers the brain and motivation, to occur repeatedly, causing addiction. According to the authors, after a month the rats ‘addicts’ dopamine levels were less than one type of dopamine receptor and opioid receptors more. These dopamine and opioid systems involved in motivation and reward systems that control the desire and pleasure for nothing. Also observed similar changes in the brain of rats addicted to cocaine.

The researchers were also able to cause signs of withdrawal in animals al’eliminar them the administration of sugar. Their work provides the links between substance use disorders as drug addiction and the development of abnormal desire for natural substances. These data could help us design new ways of diagnosis and treatment of addiction in people.