The mood- food cycle

Sugar in small quantities is not a health risk, but we are simply eating too much of it. Excess sugar in the diet is bad for our waistline as well as heart we all know. But there is evidence now to prove that high levels of sugar consumption (or sugar addiction) have a serious negative effect on the mental health as well.

WHO recommends only 5 per cent of daily caloric requirement from sugar. It is as high as 13 -15 per cent in a typical diet with zero nutritional value. Mostly in the US, people are consuming five times more the amount of sugar is required. Research has proven that with high intake of sugar the communication among brain cells is impaired leading to learning difficulties and impaired memory. It may contribute to depression and anxiety. Sudden binges and craving for sugar causes the blood sugar to spike then drop, often called “crash down” causes irritability, mood swings, and fatigue, underlines Preety Tyagi, nutritionist and founder of MY22BMI.

Though sugar addiction is strong, it is possible to to ger over it:

• Get rid of all the processed foods and sugar from the house

• Eat breakfast that is healthy and wholesome

• Drink more water

• Prepare healthy snacks, keep them handy

• Be physically active, exercise more

• Sleep well at night

— IANS