Sugar and Sweeteners Harm our Brain

Excess added sugar consumption is linked to brain disease, especially in its liquid form such as in sugary beverages. Decreasing your overall intake of any added sweeteners is best. Even “natural” sweeteners like honey and maple syrup should be consumed in moderation.

• Honey and maple sugar have a slightly lower effect on blood sugar than table sugar and each contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are missing in sugar.

• Stevia, monk fruit, and allulose may be among the best sugar alternatives.

Consuming more added sugar (particularly in sugary beverages) is linked to worse brain health and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Your brain is only 2% of your body’s weight but it uses up to 20% of your overall energy. Most of the energy comes in the form on glucose.

• Naturally occurring sugars (such as in fruit) is much better for our health because the fruit comes with fiber which slows the absorption of the sugar (glucose) and brings with it lots of beneficial vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants.

• Sugary drinks, on the other hand, like coffee drinks, sodas, energy drinks and alcohol, lack those ingredients and have been shown to be associated with depression and dementia.

People are turning to artificial and “natural” sugar alternatives. These include artificial sugars like aspartame, sucralose, and as sugar alcohols (erythritol, xylitol) and plant-derived “natural” sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit.

• Studies have shown negative effects of artificial sweeteners and we don’t know enough about the long-term health impact of some of these “natural” alternatives.

We all can benefit from lowering our added sugar intake and training our brains to being sensitive to sugar. Eating sugar in whole foods is a much better option.

**Content provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is derived from information from Dr. Austin Perlmutter but it is not medical advice.**