Rodents, on the other hand, are slaves to sweetness. They have been known to die of malnutrition rather than step away from a sugar-water drip. In an obesity study from the 1970s, rats fed an all-you-can-eat "supermarket" diet that included marshmallows, milk chocolate, and chocolate-chip cookies gained 269 percent more weight than rats fed standard laboratory fare. There are strains of mice that will, over the course of a day, consume their own bodyweight in diet soda, and you do not want the job of changing their bedding. Does
Rodents have a strong inclination towards sugary foods, often prioritizing them over essential nutrition. In a notable obesity study from the 1970s, rats with access to a "supermarket" diet rich in sweets gained an astonishing amount of weight compared to those on a regular lab diet. This showcases the intense attraction rodents have to sugar, which can lead them to neglect their overall health.
Some mouse strains even consume excessive amounts of diet soda, highlighting their compulsive behavior towards sugary or sweetened products. This behavior raises significant concerns about their well-being, emphasizing the challenges encountered in managing their living conditions. The findings illustrate the powerful effects of diet on rodent health, as discussed in Mary Roach's book "Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal."
