Is food addiction a genuine concern? Can children experience the effects of sugar or food addiction as severely as individuals affected by alcohol addiction? Dr. Robert Lustig, M.D., M.S.L., asserts that this is indeed a possibility. Dr. Lustig is a Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he specializes in neuroendocrinology. His research and clinical focus have been on childhood obesity and diabetes.

In a podcast featuring Dr. Mark Hyman, a physician and author, Dr. Lustig addresses the prevalence of food addiction, noting that it occurs at rates comparable to those of alcohol addiction.

‘Food addiction is similar to alcoholism’

The discussion opens with Dr. Hyman and Dr. Lustig reviewing the study titled ‘Prevalence of food addiction determined by the Yale Food Addiction scale and associated factors: A systematic review with meta-analysis,’ which indicated that the prevalence of food addiction is 14% among adults and 12% among children. This statistic aligns with the 14% of the population that is reported to be alcohol dependent. Dr. Hyman emphasizes that food addiction is ‘similar to alcoholism.’

Dr. Lustig further elaborates that in the United States, 40% of individuals abstain from alcohol entirely, 40% are social drinkers, 10% engage in binge drinking, and 10% are chronic alcoholics. He posed a critical question: “Despite the widespread availability of alcohol, 80% of the population appears to manage without issues, while 20% do not. What measures can be taken to support that 20%?”

'Because not everyone is addicted doesn't mean it doesn't exist'

When Dr. Hyman inquired about the reasons behind alcoholism, Dr. Lustig suggested that those who struggle with food addiction may share similar characteristics with those who suffer from alcoholism. He stated, “The notion that sugar addiction is nonexistent is illogical; just because not everyone is affected does not imply that it is not a real phenomenon.”

'Sugar and alcohol metabolise identically'

Dr. Robert emphasized that the metabolic processes of sugar and alcohol in the human body are remarkably similar, which explains why children who abstain from alcohol can still develop diseases typically associated with alcohol consumption. He stated, "Sugar and alcohol are metabolized in nearly the same manner. The fructose molecule and the ethanol molecule perform essentially identical functions at the mitochondrial level. Therefore, it is not unexpected that children who do not consume alcohol can experience the same health issues as alcoholics, including type two diabetes and fatty liver disease. In the absence of alcohol, sugar serves as a substitute."

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