n e w s m a k e r s : Two Cravings May Be Linked

by Jill Aitoro

ost of those taking the steps to sobriety know that cracking open a soft drink may help relieve the cravings for a beer. Now researchers have found that the urge for sweets and alcohol may be genetically determined.

A study of 19 pairs of twins revealed that the emotional effect of sweets was similar for each pair, so that if a candy bar relieved depression for one, it did the same for the other. The twins shared similar preferences for degree of sweetness as well.

Earlier studies of recovering alcoholics had found a strong preference for very sweet sweets among the participants. Taken together, findings indicate that genes may play a role in both kinds of craving.

"In this study, we found that despite different life experiences, twin brothers continue to share sweet and alcohol preferences," says David H. Overstreet, associate professor of psychiatry and a member of the Skipper Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies.

If the link between the desire for sweets and alcohol is genetic, a "sweet test" could help doctors diagnose alcoholic tendencies in time to prevent the disease through education, says Alexei B. Kampov–Polevoy, a chief investigator at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. For those already in treatment, sweets may help them along.

"Alcoholics Anonymous has recommended carrying a candy bar to those in recovery for years because it helped curb cravings," Overstreet says. Until now, no one was sure why.

Discuss this story.

© 2000 Endeavors, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. All rights reserved.