Dr Nirvana writes that overeating, poor memory formation, learning disorders, and depression have all been linked in recent research to the over-consumption of sugar. These linkages point to an understanding of what our chronic intake of added sugar is doing to our brains. There's an important clarification herein because our brains need sugar every day to function. Brain cells need two times the energy needed by all the other cells in the body, which is roughly 10% of our total daily energy requirements. This energy comes from glucose (blood sugar). Sugar therefore is not the brain’s enemy, but added sugar is.
In a media release on Jan. 1, 2013, JAMA has reported, Imaging Study Examines Effect of Fructose on Brain Regions That Regulate Appetite. Brain magnetic resonance imaging of study participants has indicated that ingestion of glucose, but not fructose, reduces cerebral blood flow and activity in brain regions that regulate appetite. This study also found that ingestion of glucose, but not fructose, produced increased ratings of satiety and fullness.
The researchers have stated, “Increases in fructose consumption have paralleled the increasing prevalence of obesity, and high-fructose diets are thought to promote weight gain and insulin resistance. Fructose ingestion produces smaller increases in circulating satiety hormones compared with glucose ingestion, and central administration of fructose provokes feeding in rodents, whereas centrally administered glucose promotes satiety.
Thus, fructose possibly increases food-seeking behavior and increases food intake.” However, how the brain regions which are associated with fructose- and glucose-mediated changes in animal feeding behaviors translates to humans is not completely understood.
MandelNews.com
