Appetite July 2017 PMID 28330706

Eating dependence and weight gain; no human evidence for a 'sugar-addiction' model of overweight.

C Rob Markus, Peter J Rogers, Fred Brouns, Robbie Schepers

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Mentions

Peak: 13 in Aug 2022

across 6 sources since May 2019

Extended reach

797,023

potential audience

Total likes

319

Video views

1,215

Mentions per month

May 2019 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

X / Twitter61 posts
Facebook7 posts
Instagram4 posts
YouTube3 videos
Reddit2 posts
News2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The majority of discussions emphasize the lack of human evidence for sugar addiction, with several participants referencing scientific studies and meta-analyses, such as the statement 'no human evidence for a sugar-addiction model of overweight' and discussions about fat-sugar combinations. The tone varies from confident scientific assertions to dismissive remarks, reflecting a consensus on the research findings but also some frustration toward misconceptions.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions concur with the article's conclusion that there is little to no evidence supporting sugar addiction in humans, emphasizing research findings and meta-analyses.

InterestHigh interest

Participants display high interest, referencing multiple studies, meta-analyses, and scientific reviews to support their points.

EngagementModerate engagement

While many cite scientific evidence, some engage superficially or dismiss opposing views, showing moderate engagement and critical discussion.

ImpactModerate impact

The collective dialogue reinforces the scientific consensus, potentially influencing opinions and challenging misconceptions about sugar addiction, but may not cause widespread change yet.

Abstract in brief

The study found little evidence that sugar alone causes addiction or directly contributes to weight gain in humans, as most food dependence symptoms were related to high-fat foods rather than sugar-specific foods.
Around 9.5% of university students showed signs of food dependence, but only a small percentage related these symptoms specifically to sugar-containing foods, with stronger links to high-fat savory and sweet foods.
Weight gain was mainly associated with addictive behaviors toward high-fat foods, not sugar, supporting the idea that factors like calorie density and individual eating experiences are more crucial in overeating and weight issues than sugar addiction.

Read the full abstract

All mentions

Dietary Factors in Food Preference and Dependence in Humans

The study found little evidence that sugar alone causes addiction or directly contributes to weight gain in humans, with most food dependence symptoms related to high-fat foods rather than sugar-specific foods.

Nutrimarafiotti · Jun 26, 2024 861 views

Is Sugar Addiction a Real Scientific Phenomenon? Analysis and Insights

This video explores whether sugar addiction is a scientifically supported concept, highlighting evidence that suggests food dependence is more related to high-fat foods than sugar alone. Key findings indicate weight…

Show Up Fitness · May 5, 2022 288 views

Is Sugar Addiction a Valid Concept in Humans? Analysis and Evidence

The study found little evidence that sugar alone causes addiction or directly contributes to weight gain in humans, as most food dependence symptoms were related to high-fat foods rather than sugar-specific foods.

Dra. Angélica Aparicio Z - Tupsiquiatraa · May 9, 2022 66 views

Billy Bishop

@AbsurdlyWise · X

@DoctorTro Shocking that a Dr doesn’t know that sugar in of itself does not cause obesity. https://t.co/esbXsxrS7p

May 24, 2024 · 4 likes · 131 followers View post →

DAVE_BREEL

@DaveBreel · X

@rollinH9 @AgileCabbage @ding_dong421 @douglasritz @AdamSinger https://t.co/F855D5ZnQt

May 10, 2024 · 74 followers View post →

Aled Zachary

@aled_zachary · X

@ChestHairGang @bigfatsurprise "Clear biochemistry explaining" Feel free to provide resources proving your point. I brought my own receipts, though: https://t.co/FtOf03YKi0

Apr 5, 2024 · 74 followers View post →

dani ⁕ DREAM CANTEEN

@_dreamcanteen · X

@felipenmourao @goes_rodrigom Pra ilustrar o que eu disse, esse estudo (bem conduzido), mostrou que indivíduos classificados como "viciados em comida", não preferem bebidas ricas em açúcar somente, e sim bebidas ricas em gordura, independente de estar adoçada. https://t.co/SfLxPkLr2m

Apr 3, 2024 · 64 followers View post →

CoraTheMidwife

@CoralieBorel · X

@just_autist https://t.co/7VnRHIB8Fq + une étude sur les humains pour changer ! https://t.co/sC7oGQ6Rb0

Jan 19, 2024 · 1 like · 1,611 followers View post →

Greg

@gregorythomp · X

@LowCarbEyeDoc @BioLayne Here’s a couple interesting studies. I know the debate is always carbs/fats, but to me certain combinations including both are easiest to overeat. I don’t overeat bread or butter alone, but bread and butter? Oh yeah https://t.co/9fAFTyAyDx https://t.co/XgvtDYmRfI

Dec 30, 2023 · 2 likes · 288 followers View post →

Greg

@gregorythomp · X

@BenBikmanPhD @drantbradley Well here’s a screenshot from the article you shared. Did you read the whole article or just quote what confirmed your bias? Regardless, I said fat&carb combos are most addictive, which plenty of literature supports: https://t.co/XgvtDYnp5g, https://t.co/9fAFTyB6t5 https://t.co/FQ7trslQWl

Nov 22, 2023 · 288 followers View post →

Layne Norton, PhD

@BioLayne · X

With respect, eat shit https://t.co/jxpQm1a4AV https://t.co/yE1RA2okgr https://t.co/WNToOB4hEf

Nov 17, 2023 · 105 likes · 226,762 followers View post →

Layne Norton, PhD

@BioLayne · X

@bttnclckr @Garybrecka1 Eat shit https://t.co/yE1RA2okgr https://t.co/jxpQm1a4AV

Nov 17, 2023 · 45 likes · 226,762 followers View post →

Malicide

@Malicide · X

@ascentovalhalla @EnriqueDAustin @SBakerMD Clearly sugar is NOT addictive if you read the research: "We find little evidence to support sugar addiction in humans" https://t.co/hh7T2nChcp https://t.co/oh5YeWRnXw Also, see my full comment here: https://t.co/oHugQVjIif

Oct 23, 2023 · 198 followers View post →

Malicide

@Malicide · X

@fellowshipnate @EnriqueDAustin @SBakerMD Why don't you read the actual research? "We find little evidence to support sugar addiction in humans" https://t.co/hh7T2nChcp https://t.co/oh5YeWRnXw

Oct 23, 2023 · 198 followers View post →

Billy Bishop

@AbsurdlyWise · X

@weeverrm @BioLayne We already have studies in humans showing there is no addiction. https://t.co/esbXsxrS7p

Oct 15, 2023 · 131 followers View post →

Billy Bishop

@AbsurdlyWise · X

@StormyJoseph @johnjanuary1984 @robertlufkinmd Actually you’re dead wrong. Have you read the literature? If sugar is so highly addictive why aren’t people eating straight sugar packets? How ironic that those with a “sugar addiction” also have a hamburger and fries addiction. https://t.co/esbXsxrS7p

Sep 13, 2023 · 131 followers View post →

Billy Bishop

@AbsurdlyWise · X

@NadimAbouhamad @LoriShemek Nope, not addictive https://t.co/esbXsxrS7p

Sep 6, 2023 · 131 followers View post →

Billy Bishop

@AbsurdlyWise · X

@RealRan23 @LoriShemek Nope not addictive. https://t.co/esbXsxrS7p

Sep 6, 2023 · 131 followers View post →

Billy Bishop

@AbsurdlyWise · X

@evasmagacz @robertlufkinmd Sugar is not addictive. If it were we would all be eating straight sugar packets. https://t.co/esbXsxrS7p

Aug 29, 2023 · 131 followers View post →

TheFrenchEpidemiologist

@frenchepidemio · X

Je n'ai pas trouvé de revues systématiques sur l'addiction au sucre mais des revues narratives https://t.co/sDOU08RJhJ Etude transversale humaine : https://t.co/MZJSMIVBq5 (pas d'addiction)

Aug 10, 2023 · 4 likes · 15,133 followers View post →

Billy Bishop

@AbsurdlyWise · X

@bbqbaseball62 @BioLayne Usually the one making the claim is the one that is required to provide the evidence but since you asked and there is a TON of evidence out there that it isn’t. Here is one paper showing it’s not addictive. https://t.co/esbXsxrS7p

Jun 23, 2023 · 2 likes · 131 followers View post →

ウェルウィッチア奈央

@U9HKuVbhNQPGJAU · X

RT @IshiyakuApp: 自分の食生活から精製された砂糖の依存性を疑った経験はないでしょうか。実は、・砂糖のみ：依存性なし・肥満との相関もなし・砂糖＋脂肪：依存性あり・肥満と相関ありで、95%もの参加者が何らかの食品に依存したことがあったそうです。 https…

May 28, 2023 · 1 share · 139 followers View post →

イシヤク | 医師向け薬剤比較アプリ

@IshiyakuApp · X

May 28, 2023 · 10 likes · 1 share · 19,093 followers View post →

Nelly F

@Nelly_F_Fitness · X

@bigfatsurprise @ethanjweiss Isn't it ironic that those with a sugar addiction also have a fries and hamburger addiction? Eating dependence and weight gain; no human evidence for a 'sugar-addiction' model of overweight https://t.co/XTlKsYBmeo

Mar 27, 2023 · 5 followers View post →

Nelly F

@Nelly_F_Fitness · X

Eating dependence and weight gain; no human evidence for a 'sugar-addiction' model of overweight https://t.co/XTlKsYBmeo

Mar 9, 2023 · 5 followers View post →

Nelly F

@Nelly_F_Fitness · X

@pleblira @BioLayne Actually there is no evidence that sugar is addictive as cocaine. There are various studies that show that sugar is not addictive in humans- https://t.co/XTlKsYBmeo

Mar 5, 2023 · 5 followers View post →

tokatti

@tokatti_ · X

起こすケースは少ない横断研究なのでエビデンスのレベルとしてはそこそこぐらい https://t.co/SYjIYf1hNX ケンブリッジ大学のレビュー論文過去に行われた砂糖中毒に関する実験データをまとめたポイント人間が砂糖依存を起こすという証拠は存在しなかった動物実験のデータを見ると確かに砂糖中毒の

Feb 17, 2023 · 189 followers View post →

Joachim's Training

@TrainingInNYC · X

@BiggestComeback Sugar cravings are real. No doubt. But addictive?? Anecdotes are nice but actual data suggests sugar is not 'addictive'. https://t.co/YGxDXsorEU

Nov 30, 2022 · 1 like · 772 followers View post →

Joachim's Training

@TrainingInNYC · X

@ifixhearts Nobody dies from sugar withdrawal. Data does not support the idea sugar is addictive. Certain foods seem to have addictive properties like cookies, cakes, ice cream - but they are high in sugar, fat & salt. https://t.co/YGxDXsnTPm

Nov 1, 2022 · 2 likes · 772 followers View post →

Joachim's Training

@TrainingInNYC · X

@jen_pic @drandyphung There is little data to support sugar addiction in humans. Here is a meta-analysis "no human evidence for a 'sugar-addiction' model of overweight" https://t.co/YGxDXsnTPm

Oct 27, 2022 · 1 like · 772 followers View post →

Sebastijan Orlic

@SebastijanOrlic · X

@rahatli @DissLexie @RuskaKruska https://t.co/68ONL1oECg https://t.co/1vmAhnDJzl https://t.co/iiAdqfhwY1 "iz glave" ove tri, a ima ih "more"...

Aug 13, 2022 · 1,671 followers View post →