What Added Sugar is Doing to Your Brain
Figure this! According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an average American consumes no less than 156 pounds of artificially added sugar every year! Hard to believe as it might be, sugar is indeed so ubiquitous in our daily diets that most of us do not have any idea of how much we are actually consuming! And although we might seek the best health insurance policies to take care of all the diabetes-related complications, this sweet poison could be harming us in many more ways than weimagine. In fact, it could be making us less smart!
What exactly happens to your brain when you continue to indulge your sweet tooth?
Researchers reveal that consuming too much of “added” sugar actually reduces the production of BDNF or “Brain Derived Neutrophic Factor,” which is a brain chemical. Without sufficient production of BDNF, the brain loses its ability to remember or learn new things. People suffering from a low glucose metabolic rate have exceptionally low BDNF levels. And as the levels of this brain chemical fall, sugar metabolism progressively worsens, leading to organ damage.
Low BDNF levels also contribute to insulin resistance, resulting in a metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Subsequently, scores of allied health problems follow. And, the body and brain get into a destructive cycle, emerging from which becomes near impossible.This is specifically the reason why the incidence of diabetes or pre diabetes is often associated with poor prognosis. Once diabetes strikes, the best health insurance policies will become available for a heightened premium. So, the best option is to get medical cover as early as possible.
Sugar, Dementia and Depression
There are many more ways in which the brain might suffer damage due to sugar overload. For instance, studies have linked excess consumption of artificial sugar to conditions such as dementia and depression. Low levels of BDNF might actually fuel conditions such as Alzheimer’s. Further, studies have also connected the role of sugar in overeating. Most of us intuitively link sugar consumption to obesity; however, the actually correlation is that relentless consumption of sugar compromises the brain’s ability to detect stomach fullness.
So is all sugar bad for the brain?
Hardly! In fact, the brain cells require double the energy as compared to other cell units of the body. And this energy is supplied by sugar. So, natural sugar stocks found in fruits and whole grains are welcome food for the brain. It is only the “added” sugar that you need to steer clear of.
Figure this! According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an average American consumes no less than 156 pounds of artificially added sugar every year! Hard to believe as it might be, sugar is indeed so ubiquitous in our daily diets that most of us do not have any idea of how much we are actually consuming! And although we might seek the best health insurance policies to take care of all the diabetes-related complications, this sweet poison could be harming us in many more ways than weimagine. In fact, it could be making us less smart!
What exactly happens to your brain when you continue to indulge your sweet tooth?
Researchers reveal that consuming too much of “added” sugar actually reduces the production of BDNF or “Brain Derived Neutrophic Factor,” which is a brain chemical. Without sufficient production of BDNF, the brain loses its ability to remember or learn new things. People suffering from a low glucose metabolic rate have exceptionally low BDNF levels. And as the levels of this brain chemical fall, sugar metabolism progressively worsens, leading to organ damage.
Low BDNF levels also contribute to insulin resistance, resulting in a metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Subsequently, scores of allied health problems follow. And, the body and brain get into a destructive cycle, emerging from which becomes near impossible.This is specifically the reason why the incidence of diabetes or pre diabetes is often associated with poor prognosis. Once diabetes strikes, the best health insurance policies will become available for a heightened premium. So, the best option is to get medical cover as early as possible.
Sugar, Dementia and Depression
There are many more ways in which the brain might suffer damage due to sugar overload. For instance, studies have linked excess consumption of artificial sugar to conditions such as dementia and depression. Low levels of BDNF might actually fuel conditions such as Alzheimer’s. Further, studies have also connected the role of sugar in overeating. Most of us intuitively link sugar consumption to obesity; however, the actually correlation is that relentless consumption of sugar compromises the brain’s ability to detect stomach fullness.
So is all sugar bad for the brain?
Hardly! In fact, the brain cells require double the energy as compared to other cell units of the body. And this energy is supplied by sugar. So, natural sugar stocks found in fruits and whole grains are welcome food for the brain. It is only the “added” sugar that you need to steer clear of.
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