Watch an Animation Showing How Sugar Affects the Brain

Here's a science-y video from TED-ed explaining how sugar affects the brain, ultimately creating "that warm, fuzzy feeling you get when you taste grandma's chocolate cake." Unsurprisingly, sugar activates the brain's reward system, but unlike other non-sugary foods, it releases sustained levels of dopamine that won't level out over time, thus creating what some call "sugar cravings." (Don't worry: The sugar's pleasure-inhibitor doesn't signal as "violently" as drugs, but the response is similar.) The video also explains why our body craves variety in foods. Go, watch:

Video: How Sugar Affects the Brain

· How Sugar Affects the Brain [YouTube via Digg]
· All Food Science Coverage on Eater [-E-]