3059: Experts Agree: Sugar Might Be as Addictive as Cocaine by Anna Schaefer and Kareem Yasin with Healthline

Optimal Health Daily - Fitness and Nutrition

Optimal Living Daily LLC

Fitness, Health & Fitness, Nutrition

4.4 • 671 Ratings

🗓️ 24 July 2025

⏱️ 12 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3059: Anna Schaefer and Kareem Yasin delve into the science behind sugar's grip on our brains, comparing its effects to those of addictive drugs. With expert insights from neuroscientist Dr. Nicole Avena, they unpack why sugar cravings, withdrawal, and overconsumption are more than just bad habits, they’re signs of a deeper neurological response. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/experts-is-sugar-addictive-drug Quotes to ponder: "People self-report craving sugar, feeling withdrawal symptoms, and eating more than they intended." "Sugar activates the brain’s reward system, leading to the release of dopamine." "From a behavioral standpoint, sugar appears to be addictive in the same ways as drugs of abuse." Episode references: Food and Addiction: A Comprehensive Handbook: https://www.amazon.com/Food-Addiction-Comprehensive-Kelly-Brownell/dp/0199738165 Sugar: The Bitter Truth (YouTube lecture by Dr. Robert Lustig): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habit-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	We've grown up surrounded by beauty ideals that promised confidence, but often delivered shame.
0:05.5	In a special episode of a millennial mind, I sat down with Nicola Adams to explore how
0:10.4	appearance-based compliments and body talk shape our self-worth without us realizing it.
0:15.9	In partnership with the Dove Self-Esteen project, we unpack the tools to change the conversation
0:20.6	for ourselves and for future generations. Listen now and download the... with the Dove Self-Eesteem Project, we unpack the tools to change the conversation for
0:21.1	ourselves and for future generations. Listen now and download the free body confidence journal
0:26.4	at Dove.com forward slash Y2K.
0:30.1	LD's Super 6 Fruit and Veg comes with a freshness guarantee from just 29p each, red grapefruit,
0:36.1	spring onions, pink kids, apples and mixed peppers,
0:38.5	plus British Jersey roll potatoes and cherries.
0:40.9	And the cherry on top?
0:42.2	Amazing Aldi value!
0:43.9	In store now!
0:44.9	Aldi!
0:45.6	Which cheapest supermarket 2024?
0:47.7	Products and prices may vary subject to availability.
0:50.7	This is Optimal Health Daily.
0:53.1	Experts agree, sugar might be as addictive as cocaine by Anna Schaefer and Kareem Yassine
0:58.6	with Healthline.com.
1:00.5	And I'm your host and narrator, Dr. Neal.
1:02.7	I'm going to keep this intro nice and short, so let's get right to it as we optimize your life.
1:12.2	Experts agree, sugar might be as addictive as cocaine by Anna Schaefer and Kareem Yassine
	...

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