Why Sober People Want So Much Sugar (E41)
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Gill discusses sugar. When she stopped drinking, all of a sudden she had a desire for sweet stuff. There are some misconceptions around why this happens and some interesting research on problem drinkers and sugar. In this episode we'll break down 3 myths about sober people and sugar. You’ll learn why sober people tend to want to eat all the sugar, how your genetics and childhood influence sweet preference, and what you can do to limit the amount of sugar you’re consuming.
Key Takeaways
Alcohol is made out of ethanol. Sometimes we add sugar to it in mixed drinks or in wine, but alcohol has no sugar. Alcohol is broken into something called acetaldehyde which is 10x more toxic than ethanol. This intermediate is broken down into acetate. Eventually, alcohol will be broken down into carbon dioxide and water and eliminated from the body.
Studies suggest that sweet appetite is related to alcohol appetite. Sweets are more pleasurable to consume than other food, and studies have found that consumption of candy and refined sugar is inversely related to alcohol intake. This means that the less alcohol we drink, the more sugar we eat. This trend occurred during Prohibition, when alcohol was unavailable, the consumption of sugary foods skyrocketed.
A 2010 study found that children who had depressive symptoms and a family history of alcoholism had a preference for much sweeter drinks and other children. Kids with depressive symptoms and a family history of alcoholism preferred drinks that were equivalent in sweetness as a can of coke with double the sugar in it. Kids without this family history or depression preferred drinks that were 33% less sweet.
Cite this episode
Tietz, G. Episode 41: Why Sober People Want So Much Sugar. Sober Powered. 2021
Sources
Mokdad AH, Marks JS, Stroup DF, Gerberding JL. Actual causes of death in the United States, 2000. JAMA. 2004;291(10):1238-124515010446
Silva, C. et al. Effect of Heavy Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages on the Perception of Sweet and Salty Taste, Alcohol and Alcoholism, Volume 51, Issue 3, 1 May 2016, Pages 302–306
Mennella, Julie A et al. “Sweet preferences and analgesia during childhood: effects of family history of alcoholism and depression.” Addiction (Abingdon, England) vol. 105,4 (2010): 666-75.
