Home - health - Here’s How Excess Sugar Intake Can Affect The Nervous System
Here’s how excess sugar intake can affect the nervous system

Here’s how excess sugar intake can affect the nervous system

Regarded as the brain’s processing center, the central nervous system (CNS) governs various activities, including the regulation of breathing, heart rate, body temperature, sensory information processing, and motor signals. It is the brain’s lifeline, carrying out several essential functions. Studies have linked excessive sugar intake to the damage of the brain’s blood vessels, causing brain atrophy and vascular dementia. Keep reading to know more about the impact of high sugar levels on the nervous system.

Memory
An overindulgence in sugary foods can considerably slow down cognitive functioning and cause memory problems. It can also increase the risk of mental health disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease among the elderly. Studies have demonstrated that when consumed in high amounts, sugar causes the release of the stress hormone called cortisol in the body, which can cause problems with memory. Consuming too much sugar over a period of time affects faculties like spatial and object-recognition memory.

Attention
A high intake of sugar triggers the release of dopamine, which can cause one to become fidgety and inattentive. The instant boost of energy one typically experiences after a sweet treat is temporary, and it is typically followed by a drop in glucose levels, leading to a lack of focus.

Heart rate
The heart rate is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which contains the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Excessive sugar intake can affect the heart’s rhythm and elevate blood pressure levels, eventually causing damage to the cardiovascular system.

Decision-making abilities
The brain and spinal cord are two important components of the CNS, and it governs one’s decision-making abilities. Eating too many sugary food items can lead to elevated glucose levels, which have been found to affect decision-making and self-control abilities.

Onset of depression and anxiety
The primary mediators of anxiety in the CNS are the hormones norepinephrine, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and serotonin. Consuming excessive sugary foods and beverages can cause mood disorders and trigger or worsen depression and anxiety symptoms. The drop in blood sugar levels after the initial spike can cause the release of adrenaline and cortisol in the body, which elevates anxiety levels and may lead to panic attacks.

Digestion
The CNS provides extrinsic neural inputs to regulate digestion. High sugar intake can lead to a condition called gastroparesis, which affects the way in which food is digested in the body. Moreover, sugar leads to the growth of bad bacteria and yeast in the large intestine, causing the build up of gas.

Declining mental capacity
Regularly binging on sugary snacks and foods is linked to a decline in mental and cognitive functions, impairing one’s mental capacity and affecting the blood vessels. High amounts of sugar can significantly impair one’s learning processes and lead to the onset of dementia and other related mental health conditions.

Hypertension
The brain directly or indirectly contributes to all forms of hypertension through the sympathetic nervous system. Too much sugar can reduce the production of nitric oxide in blood vessels, causing vasoconstriction and high blood pressure as a result. In turn, high blood pressure can affect one’s heart health and cause speech and movement problems.

Weakened response to stress
The CNS is responsible for triggering stress responses by regulating the autonomic nervous system and helping the brain interpret potentially stressful scenarios. The overconsumption of sugar can suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the brain, which is responsible for controlling stress responses.

Sleep
A network of nuclei in the CNS regulates the duration of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. Sleep is controlled by different neurotransmitters and mechanisms in the nervous system. A number of studies have indicated that low glycemic control among patients with Type-2 diabetes leads to decrease in REM sleep. Moreover, having too much sugar elevates one’s cortisol levels, leading to restlessness during sleep and sleep cycle issues. Lack of sleep can substantially affect one’s daily functioning, causing loss of focus and mood swings.

Fluctuations in body temperature
The nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature, with different parts contributing to the process, from the spinal cord to the brain’s upper regions. High sugar intake disrupts this process by hampering blood circulation and causing an increase in temperature throughout the body.

Tips to manage sugar intake

Replace sugary foods with fruits
Having too many sugary foods, such as desserts and baked items, on a regular basis can cause a spike in one’s glucose levels. It can also increase the production of cortisol, and affect one’s blood pressure, causing problems with the nervous system’s functioning. It helps to replace these sugary foods with natural sugar sources, such as fruits and fresh fruit juices.

Eat nutrient-rich foods
Having a balanced meal plan containing all vital nutrients, including healthy carbs and fats, sufficient protein, vitamins, and minerals, can reduce one’s sugar cravings and control blood sugar levels. One’s meal plan should include nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, fruits, eggs, oily fish, chicken, lentils, and lean meats.

Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water can help flush out excessive sugar from the body and enhance digestion. Research has demonstrated that individuals who consume sufficient water have a lower risk of developing diabetes. Staying hydrated can help the central nervous system promote digestion.

Exercise
Exercise increases one’s sensitivity to insulin, which helps the body manage blood sugar levels effectively. Controlled blood sugar levels can help the CNS carry out processes like cognitive functioning, digestion, blood circulation, and heart rate regulation more smoothly.

Check blood sugar levels regularly
It is essential to regularly check one’s blood sugar levels to record fluctuations. Ensuring that blood sugar levels are in check can enable the CNS to function more efficiently. Furthermore, regular tests can help one evaluate any possible causes of spikes in glucose levels. Eliminating these triggers can enhance the functioning of the CNS.

Latest Articles

Eczema – 3 methods to manage its symptoms
health

Eczema – 3 methods to manage its symptoms

Eczema has many different stages and types. Unfortunately, about 10.1 percent of people in the country have some or the other form of this condition. Such a disease is a combination of conditions that make the skin irritated or inflamed. With proper treatment, one can manage symptoms. Red, dry, cracked, and leathery skin are the common eczema signs. Here are three useful methods that help deal with eczema and manage its symptoms: Getting the right treatment options Here are some treatments associated with eczema. Dupixent Dupixent is prescribed for children six or older and adults; for those who cannot control symptoms with other treatment measures, alternate treatments are not recommended. This monoclonal antibody works on a targeted area in the immune system. Dupixent comes in pre-filled single-dose pens and syringes, given as a subcutaneous injection. One can find this treatment option in two strengths: 300-mg/2-mL and 200 mg/1.14-mL solutions. Cibinqo This once-daily oral treatment helps manage symptoms for adults who have not seen relief with prevailing treatment options. Cibinqo is an FDA-approved treatment for adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. Doses that can be taken are either 100 or 200 mg. Alternately, a 50 mg dosage is for patients with moderate renal impairment. Upadacitinib and Eucrisa Upadacitinib is a JAK1 inhibitor and helps adolescents and adults with severe or moderate eczema. However, this FDA-approved treatment can cause side effects like fever, cough, nausea, and upper respiratory tract infections. Typically, one starts with 15 mg, but the doctor may advise a 30 mg dose if that does not work. Eucrisa is also a treatment option for eczema. It is for skin-only treatment, so do not get it in contact with sensitive areas and rinse with water in case of contact. Foods to eat and avoid Eczema needs to be managed with a disciplined nutritional regime.
5 mistakes to avoid before bed for better sleep
health

5 mistakes to avoid before bed for better sleep

Have you ever woken up feeling tired and lethargic despite sleeping for seven to eight hours at night? It could be due to poor sleep quality. Disturbed sleep influences the rest of your day: how you think, your performance at work, and other tasks. The causes of poor sleep are many, including a faulty mattress, distractions in your room, or a heavy dinner. Avoiding the following mistakes before bed can help you sleep better: Staring at a screen Using gadgets close to bedtime is probably the most common mistake in the digital age. The blue light emitted from screens affects the production of a specific hormone responsible for inducing sleep and regulating the circadian rhythm. Apart from the blue light emission, the television or mobile phone sound can be a distraction that keeps you awake. High noise levels create lots of mental stimulation and disturbance, preventing the brain from shutting down. Hence, it is advisable to avoid using phones, televisions, and laptops for at least an hour before bed. Exercising Exercise is among the best solutions for good health, but you must do it at the right time. Physical activity late in the evening or at night hampers sleep patterns by increasing stress and raising body temperature. The only exercise recommended before bedtime is light stretching and simple yoga. These help relieve muscle tension and relax the body and mind, preparing them to drift asleep. You can perform intense exercises in the morning or earlier in the evening. If you have some spare time before sleeping, use it for sitting down and reflecting on the happenings of the day instead of exercising. It will help you fall asleep faster. Making poor food choices A meal with lots of refined carbs and sugar is unsuitable for dinner as it can keep you awake at night.
Migraine – Ways to manage the condition
health

Migraine – Ways to manage the condition

Migraine headaches are a devitalizing experience. It completely saps the person of energy and prevents them from being productive during these episodes. There is usually a build-up to a migraine attack which is different for every individual. The phase before the actual migraine attack is known as the aura, and people may report seeing flashes of light or experiencing a tingling sensation. Below are some options for treating migraine headaches: Treatment options Nurtec Nurtec is a treatment option that helps relieve some symptoms of migraines. It reduces the severity of headaches and sensitivity to light. Nurtec is usually taken on alternate days to prevent migraines and other pain associated with the condition. Ubrelvy Ubrelvy, a fast pain-relief, is a treatment option that blocks calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the body. CGRP is associated with migraine attacks, and suppressing it goes a long way in treating the condition. Excedrin This pain reliever does not just treat migraine headaches but also pain in other parts of the body. Excedrin provides fast pain relief to the patient. Qulipta Qulipta is a treatment option that helps prevent migraines over a more extended period. However, medical professionals do not recommend this treatment option to people suffering from kidney or liver problems. Qulipta works by blocking the CGRP protein. Foods to help manage migraine headaches Certain foods are part of the preventive treatment for migraines. While a preventative treatment may not completely stop migraine headaches, it will help reduce the severity and occurrence of these attacks. Bananas Bananas are rich in magnesium. According to some studies, magnesium is deficient in migraine sufferers, and the mineral stops the chemicals that cause pain. Watermelons Watermelons contain around 92% water, and it is a great way to stay hydrated. Dehydration often triggers headaches in general, which could lead to migraine attacks.