Scientists tinker with a spoonful of flavor
By Liao Xiangjun
Sugar is something few people can resist. When looking for a snack, people usually subconsciously reach out for something sweet but do not know why. Scientists have recently found out that consuming sugar causes the release of dopamine in the body. Dopamine is the hormone responsible for the body feeling “good” or “pleasure”. Though ingesting sugar does not cause the release of as much as dopamine as say drugs do, there is potential for the consumption of sugar to cause addictive behaviour in humans, especially because the body becomes increasingly tolerant towards sugar. This in turn results in health risks such as diabetes and weight gain. If one is prone to indulging in sugary treats, it might be prudent to cut back now before it gets to the addiction stage.
