Human World

Video: How sugar affects the brain

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January 9, 2014

Check out this video from TEDed about what happens in your brain – and gut – when you eat sugar.

When you eat something loaded with sugar, your taste buds, your gut and your brain all take notice. This activation of your reward system is not unlike how bodies process addictive substances such as alcohol or nicotine – an overload of sugar spikes dopamine levels and leaves you craving more. In this video, Nicole Avena of TEDed explains.

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January 9, 2014

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Human World

Eleanor Imster

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About the Author:

Eleanor Imster has helped write and edit EarthSky since 1995. She was an integral part of the award-winning EarthSky radio series almost since it began until it ended in 2013. She and her husband live in Tennessee, where they enjoy guitar playing and singing. They have 2 grown sons.