Do you have an insatiable sweet tooth? Do you find yourself peering through the windows of bakeries at trays of cakes and buns, and snacking on chocolate bars between meals? Are you salivating even as you read these sentences?

Well, you’re not alone. A craving for sweet treats is becoming an increasing problem through the western world. According to the respected market researchers Euromonitor International, in the United States the average sugar consumption is more than 126 grammes per person per day – twice the daily amount recommended by the World Health Organization – going a long way towards explaining why obesity rates run at over 35 per cent in the US. In Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland, the figure stands at around 100 grammes a day. Studies have also shown that in France sugar intake has multiplied seven-fold over the last 60 years.

No wonder, then, that some health experts worry about an epidemic of obesity, with a knock-on effect on hard-pressed health services struggling with chronic conditions caused by our uncontrollable appetite for sucrose-packed nibbles.

It’s easy to see the appeal of a sugary snack – the delicious taste, accompanied by that initial burst of energy, can be extremely appealing, a small oasis of pleasure during the stresses and strains of modern life. However, it’s a bitter truth that too much sugar can be seriously bad for you, increasing your chance of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It can also cause drowsiness, an inability to concentrate, and erratic blood sugar levels. What is more, as you pile on more calories in search of that sugar rush, so your self-esteem plummets, potentially leading to feelings of depression.

But is there genuinely such thing as a sugar addiction? A study carried out by French scientists in 2007 seemed to suggest that the intense flavours offered by modern confectionery can overwhelm the pleasure centres of the brain to the detriment of our self-control mechanisms, meaning that when it comes to cakes, candy and all the other temptations on offer in our supermarkets, we simply can’t help ourselves.

So, if you think you have an issue with sugar, what should you do? First off, eat more fruit. When it comes to nature’s own sweet treats, you can chow down to your heart’s content, because the nutrient-rich, unrefined sugars they contain are very good for you. At breakfast for example, opt for an unsweetened brand of cereal with dates or currants sprinkled on it, and maybe finish off a meal with a banana or an apple rather than a biscuit or pastry.

Also, cut down on fizzy drinks. In the United Kingdom, nearly 25 percent of the daily intake of empty calories comes from sweet beverages, and the figure is even higher for school-age children. Obviously, you should preferably stop taking sugar in your tea or coffee.

Above all, get your energy from a balanced diet. It can take some time for your body to adjust to new food, but stick with it as the chances are that life will taste much sweeter in the long run.

That said, if you think you might be addicted to sugar, it’s essential to have professional support.

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