155) DOES SUGAR MAKES YOU LESS SMART?

 Macro photograph of a pile of sugar (saccharose) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Too much sugar is known to lead to obesity and diabetes.  Sugar is a also a quick source of energy.  

But the medical professionals discourage high calorie diets as they have the notion that excessive amounts of sugar would only accumulate in the muscles, liver and the fatty tissues.

A recent published report in the Journal of Physiology indicated that excessive sugar molecules in connection to metabolic syndrome(diabetes and obesity) may also retain in the brain, and likely to cause disruption to our mental functions such as memory, cognition, and learning.

What does it mean for your health?

An experiment on rats fed on a high fructose diet was conducted by Dr's. Agrawal and Gomez-Pinilla.  It has shown  that the rats seem to have a loss of memory on how to move through a maze which it had earlier learned when fed a natural health food.

Therefore, the study seemed to indicate that taking an increased amount of sugar in our daily food may affect our brain and in particular, our ability to remember things.  To attain natural health, we have to feed on foods that boost our brains and make us smarter.

The human brain (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Here are four food groups that physicians and health advocates have expounded that can make you stronger, healthier and of course, smarter.

Fruits and Vegetables

Both food groups are very high in vitamins, essential minerals and fibers.  Consumption of these foods on a regular basis will act as boosters for our body's biochemical activities to keep us functioning normally.  Fruits and vegetables can protect us from developing harmful diseases and infection by making our immune system stronger.

Fresh vegetables are important components of a healthy diet. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Meats and Fish

Meat such as chicken, beef, lamb, pork contain a lot of essential amino acids that help the multiple enzymes in your body to build, and maintain your body muscles, fatty tissues and bones.  

Some people prefer sea water fish to fresh water fish.  Whatever the preference is, consuming fish is essential as these food group are a vital source of high protein and omega 3 fatty acids which are considered as 'brain food."

However, shellfish and crustaceans such as oysters, prawns and crabs should be limited due to their link in increased cholesterol levels in our bodies.

A variety of meat Photo credit: Wikipedia

Cod and halibut
Photo credit:Wikipedia

What really happens to your brain when you take too much sugar?

Based on the research papers and report of Drs. Agrawal and Gomez-Pinilla,  people who are unable to process the sugar molecules or due to resistance to insulin will not affect their fatty tissues and muscles.

However, from their studies conducted on lab rats that were given a high fructose diet, insulin resistance will also occur in the brain that affected their ability to learn, remember and process information.

So, it is important to  choose foods that make you smarter as well as to feed your body to become healthy naturally and free from unwanted diseases.  And it also comes down to taking foods that are low in sugar.

Diagram shows insulin release from the Pancreas and how this lowers blood sugar leves. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For some of you who have jobs that keep you at your desk for long hours, this can become very challenging and you may even feel it is next to impossible to do.  Fast food outlets are plenty and convenient foods are more than likely just two doors away.  And we do have cravings so strong that we sometimes just cannot resist drinking sweetened beverages, hot or cold to feel satiated.  And it is these sugared temptations that are making you less smarter by the day.

To enjoy your life in later years, disease free and become more intelligent, you would have to make a decision now.  There are many healthy ways you can adopt to suit your hectic lifestyles.  You know that you can.  The question you may ask yourself is, "When will I start?"

"The choice is always Yours"

Choice is always yours (Photo credit: Bindaas Madhavi)

My next topic for discussion is, "The Facts and Myths About Arthiritis and Joint Pain."

You may also like to read:

145) 14 HEALTH TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS
146) FOUR TYPES OF FOOD YOU SHOULD NOT EAT
149) ARE YOU LEADING A SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE?
152) WHAT IS METABOLISM AND HOW TO BOOST IT

MY ART & POEM CORNER

Butterfly

A fleeting life for you.

Flower nectar, Sweet food, 

To mate and die for good, 

The cycle of life begins

Again and again and again.

From pupa to caterpillar spins, 

White butterfly emerges, Amen. 

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.

Until my next post,

Here's To Your Health!