One <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/is-there-a-blood-test-for-depression-1066915">study</a> involving 23,245 individuals found sugar consumption was associated with a higher rate of depression. Another study found those who ate more sugar were 23 percent more likely to be diagnosed with a mental disorder.

Mood

For many people eating a little sugar stimulates a craving for more. Sugar can lead to intense feelings of hunger.Sugar has addiction-like effects in the reward center of the brain, causing a loss of self-control, overeating and weight gain.

Reward Response

Raised blood glucose damages blood vessels. Damaged blood vessels are a major cause of vascular complications of diabetes. It leads to injury to blood vessels in the brain and eyes and can lead to difficulty in learning, memory, motor speed and other cognitive functions.

Mental Capacity

Even a single occasion of increased glucose levels in the blood can harm your brain. It can impair your memory and attention.High sugar consumption <a href="http://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2016.03.018">causes inflammation in the brain</a>. But, it can be <a href="http://www.doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2016.12.010">reversed</a> by following a low-sugar, low-GI diet.

Memory

Sweet foods can be more addictive than cocaine, one <a href="http://www.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0000698">study</a> found.Over time, greater amounts of the substance are required to reach the same level of reward.

Sugar Addiction

The brain uses more energy than any other organ in the human body and glucose is its primary source of fuel. But what happens when the brain is exposed to an excessive amount of sugars in the standard American diet? In this case, more is definitely not better.

Reward Response

Understanding What Sugar Really Does to Your Brain

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