Quitting fizzy pop is ‘like kicking drugs’ for teenagers

CHILDREN trying to cut down on sweet fizzy drinks suffer similar withdrawal symptoms to drug addicts, according to a new study.

Teenagers who normally drank three cans of soft drinks a day but went ‘cold turkey’ suffered anxiety, lethargy, headaches and cravings, researchers at the University of California found.

Writing in the journal Appetite, Dr Jennifer Falbe said: ‘Adolescents reported increased sugar-sweetened beverage cravings and headache and decreased motivation, contentment, ability to concentrate, and overall wellbeing.’

She added: ‘High sugar intake activates similar neural circuitry and reward systems as substances of abuse. Adolescence is a particularly susceptible period for addiction, when still-developing brains are highly sensitive to substances and when risktaking is more likely.’