If you don’t already know Fitenium is a free, mobile, video-based social network for athletes who train strength or bodyweight exercises. At Fitenium users can follow their performance, compete and get discounts in nutrition and sports equipment stores. Download it here.
When we talk about addictive substances, we always refer to drugs and think of their great adverse effects on our body. However, a normal diet is also surrounded by addictive substances that can harm your body almost unnoticed. We refer to substances as common as alcohol and sugar.
“Socially accepted drugs”
They do not have such a rapid and destructive effect on our body, but these “socially accepted” and addictive substances do have side effects.
Considering “drug” substances such as cocaine and heroin, both these and those described in this article have addictive powers, but the former is much more powerful. Unlike the previous ones, small amounts of substances such as sugar, caffeine and theobromine do not harm our body. But we need to know the possible long-term effects of its consumption on our bodies.
All these addictive substances not only have a pleasant effect after ingestion, but also help to stimulate the central nervous system and block the behavioral depression common to all drugs. The problem is that in this case these substances are usually included in our diet, so we probably see them in a different way.
Published on Unplash by Eric Stone
Alcohol, caffeine, theobromine, sugar, sodium, and fats are commonly consumed and are never considered a drug, but have addictive powers and similar properties to addictive substances prohibited by law.
Effects on the body
The development of addiction is the main negative impact on the body. They encourage us to consume more and more and always bring us a common result, excess calories.
Both alcohol, sugar and fat are sources of calories, which makes it clear that their continued intake can cause excess weight and body fat. On the other hand, if you are addicted to theobromine, you can almost always opt for chocolate, which contains sugar, fat and, of course, a lot of calories.
Sodium poisoning or excess sodium can also cause increased caloric intake. Of course, caffeine isn’t just what we usually sweeten or flavor with other foods, it’s also found in sodas, energy drinks, and more. Poor quality calorie bombs as they do not provide vitamins, minerals or antioxidants and are derived primarily from sugar and fat.
Published on Unplash by Katee Lue
Therefore, these addictive substances are widely contained in a variety of commonly consumed foods that can cause poisoning over time, leading to excess calories, metabolic disorders, and illnesses of all kinds.
Since current caffeine overdose does not cause adverse effects other than GI symptoms and hypersensitivity, these addictive substances carry consequences over time, leading to ongoing abuse and long-term effects. The same goes for sugar, sodium, and all the other “socially acceptable drugs.”
Today, these addictive substances that harm your body are the most common causes of disease: cancer, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, tumors, and other health problems. The key is to consume more foods that are not processed and super-processed products. The addictive substances of natural products are absent or have a different quality than those of industrial origin that could alter the health of your body.
