Research paper
Wiss DA, Avena N, Rada P. Sugar Addiction: From Evolution to Revolution. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 2018;9:545. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00545
Why we cite it
A 2018 review by the Avena/Rada team (who produced the animal model work in csa01) that broadens their earlier findings into an evolutionary and public health framework. The abstract hedges its thesis: sugar ”could also lead to habituation and even in some cases addiction”, and it asks ”whether there is sufficient empirical evidence of sugar addiction”. It integrates (Comprehensive, foundational and Uniquely removed 2026-09-19; the abstract’s hedge added) the evolutionary mismatch perspective with detailed neurobiology (dopamine habituation, D2 receptor downregulation, acetylcholine opposition) and maps sugar’s effects onto DSM-5 substance use disorder criteria. Adds human evidence (YFAS 2.0 prevalence) and developmental/epigenetic dimensions not in the earlier papers.