Why is sugar so addictive?

We all know how tempting it can be to have one too many chocolates or an extra slice of cake, even when we know it would be healthier not to. But what drives this craving for sweet treats?


Many scientists are lead to believe that we are primed to desire sugar at an instinctive level as it plays a vital role in our survival. When we eat glucose (simple sugar) gets absorbed into the blood stream. A recent study shown that children have a distinct preference to sugary foods over other foods, while they also enjoy sugary foods more than adults do. Scientists claim that our addiction to sugar is an ''evolutionary hangover'' as children who preferred sugars would have a better chance of survival.