High sugar diet is linked to depression and bipolar disorder.
High sugar intake has always been associated with obesity and diabetes. A recent research has discovered that excessive sugar consumption may also worsen the condition of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Syndrome (ADHD) and bipolar disorder. ADHD is linked to aggressive behavioural symptoms including manic depression and other mental disorders. If you or someone you know suffers from this problem, this research finding by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus may be helpful. The study was published in the journal ‘Evolution and Human Behavior’.
The research posited a hypothesis supporting the role for fructose, a component of sugar and high fructose corn syrup, and uric acid (a fructose metabolite), in increasing the risk of behavioural disorders.
Promoted
“Recent studies have shown that the reason fructose intake is strongly associated with development of metabolic syndrome is that fructose intake activates an evolutionary-based survival pathway that stimulates foraging behavior and the storage of energy as fat. While modest intake may aid animals that would like to store fat as a protective response from food shortage or starvation, we propose that high intake of sugar and HFCS causes a hyperactive foraging response that stimulates craving, impulsivity, risk taking and aggression that increases the risk for ADHD, bipolar disease and aggressive behavior, “said lead author Richard Johnson, MD, professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.
The researchers are also of the view that fructose intake has increased steadily during the last century due to the high amounts of sugar included in the current Western diet. Along with sugar, high glycemic carbohydrates and salty foods may also be blamed as they can be easily converted into fructose in the body.
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