A Neuroscientist Explains What Sugar Really Does to Our Brain

addiction recovery ebulletin sugar on brain

This is your brain on donuts –

Dec. 25, 2019 – Sugar can disrupt memory formation

Another brain area affected by high sugar diets is the hippocampus – a key memory centre. Research shows that rats eating high-sugar diets were less able to rememberwhether they had previously seen objects in specific locations before. The sugar-induced changes in the hippocampus were both a reduction of newborn neurons, which are vital for encoding memories, and an increase in chemicals linked to inflammation.

How to protect your brain from sugar?

The World Health Organization advises that we limit our intake of added sugars to five per cent of our daily calorie intake, which is 25 grams (six teaspoons).

Considering the average Canadian adult consumes 85 grams (20 teaspoons) of sugar per day, this is a big diet change for many.

Importantly, the brain’s neuroplasticity capabilities allow it to reset to an extent following cutting down on dietary sugar, and physical exercise can augment this process. Foods rich in omaga-3 fats (found in fish oil, nuts and seeds) are also neuroprotective and can boost brain chemicals needed to form new neurons. While it’s not easy to break habits like always eating dessert or making your coffee a double-double, your brain will thank you for making positive steps.