The Impact of Sugar on the Brain - Neda Brinster

How can too much or too little sugar play a role in ones brain function and development?

Immediate Impact of Consuming Sugar:

- Following the consumption of sugar, the brain releases a chemical called Dopamine

- Our brain then becomes fixed on consuming increased amounts of sugar and begins to crave it.

- Regularly eat high sugar products leads to increased cravings, and inevitably, increased consumption

*Dopamine: A chemical released by neurons in the brain, which signals that an event (such as eating sugar or working out) was positive, and something to continue doing.

Memory

- Studies have found that increased consumption of sugar, disrupts the hippocampus area of the brain, which controls memories and could lead to increased risk for dementia

- BDNF can be reduced with diets high in sugar, which is linked to dementia and Alzheimer's disease (Found by a study in the Diabetologia Journal)

*BDNF: A brain chemicals responsible for memory formation along with growth and cell maintenance.

Mood

- A study found by Scientific Reports, concluded that those that consume a 23 percent increased sugar level, were more likely to be diagnosed with a mental disorder

- High sugar levels in diets have also been proven to increase anxiety and irritability

Sources:

Amy Reichelt, The Conversation. “A Neuroscientist Explains What Sugar Really Does to Our Brains.” ScienceAlert, https://www.sciencealert.com/research-shows-sugar-can-change-your-brain-here-s-how.

Joel Fuhrman, MD. “Understanding What Sugar Really Does to Your Brain.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 16 June 2020, https://www.verywellmind.com/how-sugar-affects-the-brain-4065218.