DiNicolantonio et al. 2018

Research paper

DiNicolantonio JJ, O'Keefe JH, Wilson WL. Sugar addiction: is it real? A narrative review. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2018 Jul;52(14):910-913. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097971

Why we cite it

Narrative review examining whether sugar meets criteria for classification as an addictive substance, synthesizing both animal model and human evidence. Concludes that sugar produces more addiction-related symptoms than the minimum required for classification as an addictive substance. Authored by a cardiovascular/pharmacy team rather than neuroscientists — provides a clinical translational perspective on the Avena lab's foundational animal work (csa01). Referenced in companion 119 for sugar withdrawal context.