Robert Lustig

Robert Lustig is an American pediatric endocrinologist. He is Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he specializes in the field of neuroendocrinology, with an emphasis on the regulation of energy balance by the central nervous system. His research and clinical practice has focused on childhood obesity and diabetes. Lustig holds a Bachelor's in Science from MIT, a Doctorate in Medicine from Cornell University Medical College, and a Master's in Studies of Law from UCSF.

Lustig is best known for his research into the metabolic and societal effects of sugar consumption. He gained prominence through his 2009 lecture, "Sugar: The Bitter Truth," which went viral on YouTube and has been viewed more than 12 million times. In this lecture, Lustig argues that fructose, a form of sugar, can lead to fatty liver disease and other health problems when consumed in large amounts.

In addition to his research, Lustig is the author of several books on the subject of sugar and obesity, including Fat Chance: Beating the Odds Against Sugar, Processed Food, Obesity, and Disease and The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains. He is also the president of the non-profit Institute for Responsible Nutrition.

Lustig's work has been influential in shaping public and scientific discourse on the health impacts of sugar consumption. However, his views have also been controversial, with some critics arguing that he overstates the dangers of sugar and overlooks the importance of overall calorie intake and physical activity.