Anti-smoking drug may also help combat sugar cravings

Conclusion This animal research provides evidence that, as expected, the chemical reward pathways within brain – involving a region called the nucleus accumbens – are involved when excessive amounts of sugar are consumed on a regular basis. This is similar to that involved with substance addiction, such as nicotine. The researchers subsequently found evidence that the smoking cessation drug varenicline can reduce sugar consumption when injected into rats. However, it is difficult to draw many further implications from the research at this stage. For one thing, we don't really know what type of dietary intake in humans this intermittent exposure to sugar solution in rats would be equivalent to. Also, the only evidence we have is that giving varenicline reduced sugar consumption in the immediate term for only 30 minutes after administration. After this, sugar consumption returned to previous levels. The drug would need to keep being given to be effective. It seems highly unlikely that people would be given a varenicline tablet every day to stop them eating sugar. Such an approach on a population basis would be unfeasible and unsafe. Even for smoking cessation, the drug is normally only given for a maximum of 24 weeks. The only theoretical implication it is possible to see at this stage, is that obese people who find it hard to stop eating sugar-laden foods and snacks could possibly be given varenicline in the short term to try and help them "quit". However, th...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Food/diet Medication Source Type: news