Causes of Sugar Addiction

1. A diet that is high in carbohydrates (“carbs”) fuels sugar addiction.  There are two kinds of carbs, complex carbs and simple carbs, and they each affect the body differently.  The body quickly breaks down simple carbs into sugar. It is often stored as fat because the body cannot use all the sugar that is available.  Complex carbs take longer to be digested and do not enter the body’s blood stream quickly. Most Americans consume too many simple carbs and not enough complex carbs. America’s over consumption of carbs is an unintended consequence of the government’s recommendation to eat fewer saturated fats, known as the “low fat diet”.  Because most people did not understand the difference between saturated and unsaturated fat, this recommendation was interpreted as eating less fat – all kinds of fat.  To do this, most people turned to processed foods that contained a lot of sugar and simple carbs, versus the more healthy complex carbs.  This lead to sugar addiction because the public didn’t and still does not realize that excess simple carbs and added sugar in a diet can also lead to being overweight.  
   

   

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/funds/11227983/The-funds-that-deserve-a-health-warning.html

2. Processed foods sold at grocery stores and foods served by fast food restaurants also contribute to sugar addiction.  Grocery store shelves are packed with high-calorie, low-nutrient snack foods.  Fast food restaurants are located on what seems like every corner and make sure that the food they serve can be ready the moment an individual reaches the counter.  These foods are made to sell in high volumes, and the great tasting simple carbs and added sugar sell big.  The millions spent on maximizing sales and profit fuels the nation’s sugar addiction, which, in a never-ending cycle, leads to more addiction, and to more sales and profit.  To make matters worse, even without the millions spent on marketing, Americans’ demand for processed and fast food causes manufacturers to produce the foods that are causing America’s sugar addiction.  This demand is often increased by the value society puts on achievement, wealth and success.  While valuing success is not bad, trying to achieve it often causes stress.  That stress causes people to want “comfort food” in an attempt to relieve the stress and feel better.  The sugar high from simple carbs and added sugar does just that.  It quickly, but temporarily, makes the body feel better.  These factors increase demand for simple carbs and added sugar that manufacturers then fill.  
   http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Unhealthy_snacks_in_cart.jpg