Sweet Tooth, Foggy Brain

Glucose derived from the breakdown of complex carbohydrates such as vegetables and fruit is, for most of us, the brain’s primary source of energy. Yes, I know, those of you doing ‘keto’ are operating differently due to carb restriction – hat tips to you. (If you don’t know, ‘keto’ is when ketone bodies generated by the liver can provide a fuel source derived mainly from fat). If you’ve ever gone “low carb” and wondered why you’ve developed foggy thinking, (also known as keto-flu) until your body adapts to using ketones, this is why. But back to glucose for the moment. This energy is used to power up neuronal transmission.

One small study of older people with normal glucose tolerance demonstrated that glucose regulation is associated with cognitive performance. Common dietary carbs as found in vegetables enhanced cognition in those subjects with poor memory.

Conversely, the increasingly Western diet overloaded with too much saturated fat and simple carbohydrates (as found in refined sugar) has been shown in the longer term to have a negative effect on our cognition. Recent studies are pointing to excessive refined sugar contributing to the development of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

We’ve known for years that sugary and processed foods (those that strategically combine sugar, salt and certain fats into a triple whammy for both your brain and your waistline) are intentionally designed to override our body’s satiation signals.

Leptin is one key hormonal player in our satiety signalling. When we’re obese, we lose leptin sensitivity. That results in the ‘victim’ continuing to eat despite being full. This is where we get into trouble and the switch is flicked to food dependence—a phenomenon that looks strikingly similar to chemical drug dependence in neurological scans. I’m not the first to put it this bluntly, but refined sugar is like a drug and a drug that can cause addiction.

Sugar addict, really? When we consume something we find tasty, it stimulates the release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter released in response to a rewarding event. It’s the same brain circuitry affected by drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines and nicotine.

Now for the rocket science (well not really) Drum roll please……… the best thing you can do for your cognition and health in general is to avoid refined sugar as much as possible.

Don’t go down the sweet rabbit hole. Gradually replace those sugar laden choices with healthier ones that won’t hijack your physiology, and you’ll avoid all sort of problems.