Stress and sugar: What is the link? Know how to cut down consumption of sugar

KEY STORY

• New Delhi: In recent times, people are more cautious about the amount of sugar they consume. Most people have come to realise that weight gain s not the only effect unwanted sugar consumption has on our body and that there are other hidden ill-effects it has on the body’s organs.

• it is not the best food choice when we think of a healthy body. Sugar consumption in unmoderated amounts can cause immense damage to the body. According to a study published in Learning & Memory called “Impact of adolescent sucrose access on cognitive control, recognition memory, and parvalbumin immunoreactivity”, it was shown that excessive sugar consumption can cause damage to cognitive function.

  Sugar and stress – The link

• The term “stress eating” is quite popular and is often used by people. If you may have noticed, the type of food people prefer during “stress eating” often includes dessert and sugar-rich foods. The process ends with people feeling even more stressed out than before.

• According to an article published in ScienceDirect called “The impact of sugar consumption on stress-driven, emotional and addictive behaviours”, it was found that a consequence of overconsumption of sugar can be altered mood, behaviour, and cognitive function.

• Foods high in sugar, fat, or salt tend to elevate mood by stimulating the brain’s reward system. It gets synthesised fast and boosts the adrenal glands and makes one feel good instantly. In fact, according to Psychology Today, the same reward and pleasure centres associated with drug addiction are active when sugary comfort foods are consumed.

• According to the website of a deaddiction center in the US, sugar is more addictive than even cocaine and heroin.
  

  Furthermore, sugar consumption in unmoderated amounts can cause the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammatory conditions.

  Alternatives of sugar

  Some alternatives of sugar that you can opt for include:

  1. Honey: The health benefits such as weight management and anti-inflammatory properties of honey are often talked about. Due to its sweetening property, you can use honey in your drinks and salads.

  2. Jaggery: This sweet is an ingredient found in almost every Indian household. It is commonly known as gud. It has abilities to boost the immune as well as detoxify the body. You can use it by melting it or grinding it to its powder and adding it to your dishes.

  3. Stevia: Also known as candy leaf, this plant belongs to the plant species Stevia rebaudiana and is a natural sweetener. It can be a great substitute for sugar due to its properties of promoting weight and blood sugar levels management. You can use it by adding its crushed leaves or drops to your dishes.

  If sugar is your comfort food or stress makes you eat more sweets, experts say you should work on de-stressing your mind to take away the dependence on sugar.

  Tips to reduce stress

  Here are some tips that can help you manage your stress levels:

  • Take a stroll in the park early in the morning.

  • Keep yourself physically active through yoga and exercises.

  • Meditate to relax and calm your mind.

  • Opt for stress relieving methods such as aromatherapy, massages, and music therapy.

  • Eat foods that are rich in antioxidants.