In a striking revelation that has raised eyebrows across Nigeria’s public health sector, respected medical expert and senior consultant at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Alero Roberts, has warned that refined sugar may pose an even more potent addictive threat than cocaine. The seasoned physician and public health advocate shared her concerns during a recent health awareness discussion, where she highlighted the alarming rise in sugar consumption among Nigerians, especially in urban centres.
Professor Roberts stressed that the refined sugars commonly found in processed foods, soft drinks, snacks, and even some packaged cereals are neurologically stimulating, triggering dopamine pathways in the brain in ways similar to hard drugs. “What many people don’t realise,” she noted, “is that sugar lights up the same areas of the brain as cocaine. Over time, the body craves more of it, leading to overconsumption, obesity, and even metabolic diseases.”
She pointed to mounting research evidence, including findings from neuroscience studies in Europe and the United States, that backs up the growing assertion in medical circles that refined sugar can create a cycle of dependence. Her comments come at a time when Nigeria is seeing an increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and childhood obesity, many of which have been linked directly to excessive sugar intake.
According to a 2024 report by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), sugar consumption in the country has nearly doubled in the past two decades, largely due to increased availability of sweetened beverages and imported processed foods. The same report warned that over 11 million Nigerians are currently at risk of diabetes due to poor dietary habits.
Professor Roberts called on Nigerians to become more intentional about their food choices, advising the public to read labels carefully and reduce intake of ultra-processed products. She further urged policymakers to adopt more aggressive public health campaigns and consider fiscal strategies, such as higher taxes on sugary products, to dissuade overconsumption and protect the nation’s health.
Her warning serves as a timely wake-up call in a society where sugary drinks are commonplace at social gatherings, and sweets are often introduced to children at very young ages. The Professor concluded by urging both parents and schools to embrace healthier alternatives and promote awareness of nutrition’s long-term impact, especially among the younger generation.
