5 ways sugar affects your moods and mental health

By Parmita Uniyal, New Delhi

Published on Feb 19, 2024 05:21 pm IST

Sugar can give you an instant high making you crave for it constantly. However, sugar can affect brain function and your cognitive skills. Here's what to know.

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Sugar is a comfort food and makes you feel good instantly. However, its highly addictive nature can make us consume large quantities of it. Indulging in sugary foods can cause chronic inflammation which can also lead to deterioration of the brain’s ability to process and retain information. Nutritionist Karishma Shah in her recent Instagram post talks about ways sugar can affect your mood and mental health. (Unsplash)

Published on Feb 19, 2024 05:21 pm IST

Sugar is a comfort food and makes you feel good instantly. However, its highly addictive nature can make us consume large quantities of it. Indulging in sugary foods can cause chronic inflammation which can also lead to deterioration of the brain’s ability to process and retain information. Nutritionist Karishma Shah in her recent Instagram post talks about ways sugar can affect your mood and mental health. (Unsplash)

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It can leave you tired, irritable and stressed: Sugar can lead to a brief spike in mood and energy, thanks to the rapid release of dopamine. However, this is often followed by a crash, leaving you feeling tired, irritable and more stressed. (Unsplash)

Published on Feb 19, 2024 05:21 pm IST

It can leave you tired, irritable and stressed: Sugar can lead to a brief spike in mood and energy, thanks to the rapid release of dopamine. However, this is often followed by a crash, leaving you feeling tired, irritable and more stressed. (Unsplash)

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It leads to mood swings: Regular high sugar intake can lead to mood swings, anxiety and depression, creating a cycle where you seek out more sugar for temporary relief. (Unsplash)

Published on Feb 19, 2024 05:21 pm IST

It leads to mood swings: Regular high sugar intake can lead to mood swings, anxiety and depression, creating a cycle where you seek out more sugar for temporary relief. (Unsplash)

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Inflammation and mental health: Excessive sugar consumption can promote inflammation, which is linked to an increased risk of depression and other mental health issues. (Shutterstock)

Published on Feb 19, 2024 05:21 pm IST

Inflammation and mental health: Excessive sugar consumption can promote inflammation, which is linked to an increased risk of depression and other mental health issues. (Shutterstock)

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Brain fog: High sugar diets can impair cognitive functions, leading to difficulties with memory, focus, and decision-making. (Unsplash)

Published on Feb 19, 2024 05:21 pm IST

Brain fog: High sugar diets can impair cognitive functions, leading to difficulties with memory, focus, and decision-making. (Unsplash)

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Addiction-like symptoms: Sugar triggers reward centres in the brain in a way similar to addictive substances, leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms, impacting your mental well-being.

Published on Feb 19, 2024 05:21 pm IST

Addiction-like symptoms: Sugar triggers reward centres in the brain in a way similar to addictive substances, leading to cravings and withdrawal symptoms, impacting your mental well-being.

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