Thebrainuses more energy than any other organ in the human body and glucose is its primary source of fuel.
But what happens when the brain is exposed to an excessive amount of sugars in the standard American diet?
In this case, more is definitely not better.
Andrijana Kostova / Stocksy United
But now, this primitive drive contributes to our epidemics of obesity anddiabetes.
This article discusses the effects thatsugar has on the brain, including its impact on the reward response.
It also covers how it affects memory, mood, and cognition.
Click below to listen now.
Foods that cause a higher elevation in blood glucose produce a greater addictive drive in the brain.
High-Glycemic Foods
High-glycemic foods are those with a high value on the glycemic index.
They are digested quickly and cause a rapid increase in blood glucose levels.
This same process is thought to underlie the tolerance associated withaddiction.
Over time, greater amounts of the substance are required to reach the same level of reward.
The good news, however, is this inflammatory damage from sugar may not be permanent.
Sugar Intake Hinders Mental Capacity
Elevated blood glucose harms blood vessels.
Even in those without diabetes, higher sugar consumption is associated with lower scores on tests of cognitive function.
A Word From Verywell
As the research shows, any sugar added in our food is dangerous.
We can avoid these dangers by satisfying our sweet tooth with fresh fruit in place of refined sugars.
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2017;8(6):804-811. doi:10.3945/an.117.016261
