Sugar rush or mood crush? How your sweet tooth sabotages your health
Studies reveal a strong link between sugar consumption, brain activity, mood, and even addiction.
In a world where treats like chocolate and sweets are often the go-to source of comfort, a dark reality lurks behind our sugar-laden cravings.
Studies reveal a strong link between sugar consumption, brain activity, mood, and even addiction.
The dopamine system, a brain region associated with pleasure and reward, comes alive when sugary foods are consumed, providing fleeting bursts of happiness that many seek to replicate.
Yet, what lies beneath this euphoric experience is a pressing concern for health professionals and psychologists.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), adults should limit their intake of added sugars to just six teaspoons a day. However, most South Africans consume between 12 and 24 teaspoons daily, positioning the nation as one of the highest sugar-consuming countries globally.
This alarming trend raises critical questions about our relationship with sugar, particularly how it intertwines with our mood and mental health.
Murray Hewlett, the CEO of Affinity Health, draws parallels between sugar consumption and addictive behaviours.
'Substance abuse and binge eating share many behavioural and neurobiochemical similarities,' he said, suggesting that eating sugary delights may be reflective of a troubling pattern of dependency.
Indeed, studies indicate that eating high-sugar diets activates reward-related brain areas, intensifying feelings of hunger and creating an escalating cycle of cravings.
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