It’s undeniable that some of the tastiest and most enjoyable foods and drinks in the world contain sugar, and we just can’t help but crave them from time to time. Eating small amounts of sugar is not bad but having too much of it will have a negative effect on the brain. A large consumption of it can affect cognitive function as well as psychological well-being. Sugar affects the brain no matter the amount, the size, and the shape.
Sugar can be very addictive. There are tons of different treats that we can lose track eating. A tiny piece of chocolate can have you craving more. The size of the chocolate can bring you believe that the amount of sugar isn’t too bad and then you’ll find yourself having more. At the moment, it doesn’t seem like a lot of sugar. Limit yourself to sugar and treats because too much sugar consumption leads to larger risks within your brain.
What happens in your body when you eat sugar?
Foods and treats high in sugar send a hormone to the brain that makes you feel excited and happy. Having too much sugar can confuse the brain’s reward pathways and cause the brain to react to sugar positively each time it is consumed. This leads to a higher sugar tolerance as well as a loss of control with eating it. This is also known as increasing your sugar cravings.
Glucose is a type of sugar found in different foods you eat. Your body turns this sugar into energy in your bloodstream. A large amount of sugar in your bloodstream running for a longer time than it should can cause damage to many parts of your body not just your brain.
The energy from sugar often gets stored. Insulin is the hormone that transports the glucose from the blood to your cells to store them. Insulin is responsible for regulating the sugar that goes into your bloodstream. Without insulin, your blood sugar levels can rise dangerously and affect your body largely.
High levels of sugar is a risk factor for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. When diabetes is not controlled, it can damage organs including the brain. Damaging the brain can lead to many brain health issues later down the road.
Types of Sugar
There are a variety of different names that sugar can be listed under. Sugar is in almost everything you eat and each type of sugar has a different effect on our brains and bodies. Sugar is sugar, no matter what kind it is and it will always have an effect on the body, some more than others. These are 3 most commonly used types of sugar:
Brown Sugar contains more minerals than the typical refined white sugar because it contains molasses. It contains little amounts of calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium but it doesn’t make it completely healthy. It is technically healthier than white sugar but not by a large amount.
Granulated Sugar is the most commonly used sugar for baking purposes. It has very little vitamins or nutrients that are healthy for you. It is a raw form of sugar and contains a huge percent of sucrose which should be eaten in moderation. Too much of it can lead to tooth decay, weight gain, and mood changes.
Low-Calorie Sweeteners are an alternative to granulated sugars. One good thing about artificial sweeteners and sugar alternatives is that they don’t contribute too much to weight gain, tooth decay and other effects of sugar.
Bottom Line
Regardless of the different forms and shapes, it comes in, sugar should always be regulated. Sugar treats and drinks are easy to overeat and not take control of. It is important to pay attention to the amount of consumption. You don’t need to cut sugar out of your diet, however, it is something to be aware of to protect the overall well-being of the body and brain health.