The article traces the origins of our preference for sugary foods to the Arab world in the 7th and 8th centuries, particularly Baghdad, where sugar-based treats were popular. The term 'sugar' comes from the Arabic 'Sukkar', which the West adopted following the Crusades. Today, sugar is prevalent in over 60% of US supermarket products, contributing to severe health issues like diabetes and obesity. The article explores whether sugar overconsumption might be akin to addiction due to its effects on brain pathways, yet it remains unclear if sugar is an addictive substance.
We owe our sweet tooths to the Arab world of the 7th and 8th centuries, where Baghdad became the epicenter for sugar-based sweets that influenced global diets.
The average North American consumes about 17 teaspoons of added sugar daily, reflecting how deeply sugar has infiltrated modern diets.
Neuroscience shows that chronic sugar overconsumption alters brain pathways like dopamine signaling, causing patterns akin to addiction seen in substance use disorders.
Health experts blame sugar for various health issues, including diabetes and obesity-related diseases, raising concerns about its ubiquity in everyday foods.
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