Parents are often stressed over their children’s sugar intake, but it can be hard to tell How much is too much – or what to do about it.
Glucose: a simple sugar that forms the basis of most carbohydrate-rich foods – It is the main source of energy for the brain. Healthy brains require a continuous source of energy and nutrients to fuel growth, learning, and development.
However, that does not mean that consuming extra sugar is good for the developing brain. In fact, too much sugar can be detrimental to normal brain growth.
I am a clinical nutritionist and nutrition scientist with a focus on neuroscience. whose the investigation revolves around understand the impact of diet and lifestyle on brain function and mental well-being. Preliminary results of my research indicate that the consumption of sugary foods is associated with mental distress, such as anxiety and depression, and interrupted sleep.
Sources of sugar in children’s diets
Processed foods, such as donuts, sodas, and sweetened cereals, often contain added sugars. Unfortunately, these foods tend to be easily accessible to children and teens, whether it’s after sports games or birthday parties.
chemically processed foods They are those that have been altered by adding components that are not naturally found in them. These foods often contain added sugars, preservatives, salts, and trans fats, all intended to increase taste, texture, or shelf life.
As a result, processed foods have a lower nutritional value than whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. One of the most common sweeteners in US food products is high fructose corn syrup, which contains not only glucose, but another simple sugar called fructose. Too much fructose has been consumed associated with increased body fat. High fructose corn syrup is found in sodas and baked goods like muffins and donuts.
Diet, brain and function
Certain components of the diet, such as amino acids, which form the basis of protein, act as precursors to brain chemicals. Amino acids also play an important role in mood, learning, and cognitive functions.
Like car engines that require the right fuel to run efficiently, brains also require a adequate power for optimal operation. The the brain is made up of nerve cells, or neurons, and house cells, called glial cells. Although these two types of brain cells have different metabolic needs, glucose is the main source of energy for both.
Although the brain represents only 2% of human body weight, it requires about 20% of the energy needs of the human body to perform all its functions, including learning, memory and cognitive processes. Research suggests that this number is even higher in children. whose brains and bodies are developing rapidly.
Brain function and growth are regulated by brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which should dictate the architecture of brain development. Depending on the growth stage of the brain, a critical neurotransmitter imbalance It can cause a myriad of ailments that affect learning, mood, and behavior.
Similarly, a low-quality or unbalanced diet, such as one high in processed sugar, can upset the brain’s chemical balance.
Too much sugar puts the brain into overdrive
Because glucose is the main source of energy for the brain, too much sugar can put it into overdrive mode. When the brain is overstimulated, it can lead to hyperactivity and mood swings. However, these behavior changes are only the short-term consequences. Some evidence suggests that this brain hyperactivity in adolescents is related to cognitive deficits in adulthood.
Sugar too has an addictive effect because it stimulates neurons in the brain’s reward system, known as the limbic system. When activated, the limbic system generates heightened emotions such as pleasure, which further reinforces sugar intake.
Also, within the limbic system there is a small structure called amygdala, which processes emotional information. Overactivation of the amygdala is associated with exaggerated emotions such as fear and anxiety.
Research suggests that there are a strong relationship between high sugar consumption, altered behaviors and poor emotional regulation. Although consumption of sugar can improve mood momentarily, chronic consumption of sugar has been linked to increased risk of mental health problems.
Studies in laboratory animals also suggest that high sugar intake makes learning and memory difficult. Interestingly, the daily intake of sugary drinks during adolescence it is associated with a worsening of performance in a learning and memory task during adulthood. The researchers of that study suggest that this deterioration could be due to alterations in the intestinal bacteria.
Considering the growing body of evidence, the apparently irresistible sweetness of sugar it can be a bitter outcome for the developing brain.
This article is part of a series examining the effects of sugar on human health and culture. Read the series at theconversation.com.
This article is republished from The conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. Written by: Lina begdache, Binghamton University, State University of New York.
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Lina Begdache does not work for, consult with, own shares in, or receive funding from, any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and she has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond her academic position.
