a plug for sugar

According to an article in Scientific American Mind (my new favorite mag), "...even though our palate doesn't always distinguish between the artificial sweetner and sugar, our brain knows the difference."Apparently, real sugar activates the pleasure-related brain regions more extensively than artificial replacements, such as Splenda. The findings in this particular study may imply that there could be implications for those who use artificial sweeteners as a weight-control aid. In another study, rats that were fed artificial sweetened yogurt in addition to their regular food ended up eating more and gaining more weight than rats who ate yogurt with real sugar. Long story short..."There is good evidence that the brain responds differently to artificial sweeteners, and you should take that into account when designing weight loss programs. (from and article entitled Faux Sugar: Bittersweet, from Scientific American Mind, June/July 2008)

This news makes me think of a conversation I had with my friend Motomi (from Japan) on her first visit. She was telling me how Japanese women were trying a new "gelatin diet" to lose weight. I responded that (at the time) Americans were all an the "low-carb" diet and eating only protein. She said, "That's silly! You need sugar for your brain!!" Apparently, she knew what she was talking about. That reminds me - I need to contact her. I miss her...