Feeling depressed, how many bakery sweets and cold drinks you had? Surprised by my question, don’t be, according to a new study, researchers believe that a higher sugar intake can lead to depression and other common mental disorders in the long run. They conducted a study to find the correlation between the two.
It’s an absolute Oh-No news, I know. A total bummer as many of us look forward to that piece of cake or that sweet meat lying on the kitchen table, to counter the sad heart feeling or anxiety, as that little piece of sweet makes us feel better. Yet this study is totally contrary to that belief.
Over the last decade and more, many studies have been conducted to find the possible links and reasons behind common mental disorder (CMD) and sugar. This study has drawn inferences from the past conducted and their own findings. The case against sugar in causing depression and or anxiety disorder has been built on the following parameters:
- BDNF (Brain derived neutrotrophic factor) is a protein that researchers associate with depression and anxiety. In a study conducted on rats, proved that high sugar intake leads to a reduction of this protein, which operates nerve cells of the brain
- Next biological factor considered is inflammation. Higher your sugar intake from the artificial sources, higher is the inflammation in your body. It leads to lower energy levels and in some cases inflammation is linked with mood disorders
- We all know the ill effects of high sugar diet, obesity, heart risks, diabetes to name a few. This kind of physical impact definitely affects the psychological as well. Specially obesity is related to mood disorders
- Lastly, another study on rats proved that high intake of sugar had similar addictive effect as cocaine. Addictions again are related to various mood disorders
A few important facts arose from this study. The researchers observed that men were more at risk than females. In this regards, they also found that suffering from mood disorders doesn’t lead to change or increase in sugar consuming habits. So no point hiding behind the excuse of feeling low for munching that extra pie.
Yes, coming to the results, it doesn’t actually prove that sugar is the cause behind depression or CMD. But looking at the parameters and the research they conducted it does provide enough supporting evidence in favor of finding sugar guilty. It suggests many dangerous possibilities of letting the sugar run free in your body.
Most of the things we consume have sugar, the natural sugar is ok. It’s the artificial ones in the processed items that wreak havoc. If not for mental health than for your physical well-being reducing the amount of sugar is worth it. It was the Danish, who said ‘What is sweet in the mouth is not always good in the stomach’. How literally right they are.