Should You Give Up Sugar Forever?

Sugar is public enemy No. 1 these days, but is cutting it from our diet the answer – and is that even possible? Self-confessed sugar addict Kayce Teo finds out.

- Kayce Teo

Sugar has been making the headlines recently, and in a negative way. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a release in April warning of the rapid rise of diabetes across all regions of the world. One of the main driving factors: obesity, attributed to a lack of physical activity and an unhealthy diet.

In Singapore, following the WHO’s announcement, Members of Parliament suggested imposing a sugar tax or issuing mandatory labels stating the sugar content in foods to discourage unhealthy eating, and in turn, prevent obesity.

Some people have likened sugar addiction to drug addiction, and have gone the whole hog to eliminate it completely from their diet. Should you do the same?

SUGAR ADDICTION IS REAL

“The craving-and-reward effect you get when you consume sugar is similar to that of addictive drugs,” says Claudia Correia, dietitian at Raffles Diabetes & Endocrine Centre. “In some animal studies, sugar addiction has been shown to have the same withdrawal symptoms as other addictions.”