Can you be addicted to sugar?

In this episode of the Inside Health podcast, James Gallagher hosts Professor Susanne Dickson and Professor James Brown to discuss sugar addiction, exploring the definition of addiction, the role of the brain's reward system, and the impact of genetics, environment, and hormones on sugar cravings and consumption. They debate whether sugar can be truly addictive, differentiating between substance use disorders and harmful patterns of use, and consider the psychological and emotional factors influencing our eating habits. Later in the episode, James meets with dental hygienist Claire McCarthy to review proper toothbrushing techniques, discussing the effectiveness of electric versus manual toothbrushes, flossing, and the importance of oral hygiene for overall health.