Sugar And Brain: More Sugar Leads To Poor Memory In Kids

Diabetic, heart patients, and obese people are always warned about their sugar consumption but for kids, we always give one reason—Sugar Causes Cavity. Although it’s true; there is also another reason to keep your kids away from sugary treats and this one is extremely serious. A research group of the University Of Georgia has founded in their rodent model experiment that excessive sugar impairs memory. Here are the more side effects of sugar for kids.

The study further says that sugar affects the functioning of the hippocampus, causes inflammation, and boosts the level of parabacteroides (a gut bacteria affecting mental health).

More Parabacteroides Means Poor Memory

This effect of sugar on memory can be better understood by the fact that it increases glucose level. This sudden spike leads to damage of brain cells which further boosts the neurotransmitters and serotonin. These are, however, crucial for better brain functioning but as said, “Too much is too bad.”

Also Read: 5 Foods That Speed Up Your Memory And Ability To Concentrate

Elevated serotonin and neurotransmitters do opposite to the brain and lead to brain fog, memory loss, and poor concentration.

Other Side Effects Of Sugar

Dementia And Sugar

BDNF is a vital chemical responsible for the learning and formation of new memory. It is called brain-derived neurotrophic factor reduction which cause disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Retinopathy And Sugar

Retinopathy is a common condition among serious diabetic patients whereby the retina damages. It happens due to abnormal blood flow. Sugar increases the level of glucose in vessels that cause this abnormal flow damaging the blood vessels.

Also Read: Do You Know Sugar Can Damage Your Skin?

Brain Shrinkage

If anyone has diabetes for long then this effect can be slow and progressive in case of excessive consumption of sugar. The brain shrinks when the blood sugar level reaches its peak on HbA1c affecting mental capacities like learning and memory. Hyperglycemia, high cholesterol, and hypertension worsen this condition.

These ill impacts of sugar are, however, prominent in sugar patients therefore it is necessary to control the sugar levels since adolescence and prevent these risks.

Hippocampus is a far more vulnerable area of the brain during adolescence than in adulthood thus, parents should be wary about kid’s sugar consumption.

Here are some guidelines according to the American Academy of Pediatrics to limit their early life added sugar.

• Serve them whole fruit instead of fruit juice. However, 4 ounces of fruit juice with added sugar is not a problem for one-year-old kids. And kids age between 7-14 years can have 8 ounces of 100% fruit juice. This is strictly prohibited for infants.
• Water and milk are best than sweet beverages. Vital nutrients like vitamin D and calcium in milk are highly required for the bone development of kids and natural sugar in milk ensures that your kid gets enough glucose.
• If your kid is 2 years or more then food products containing less than 25 grams of added sugar can be given per day.
• Avoid pre-packed food items like ketchup, baked beans, and more as sugar is added to them but the pack’s label doesn’t mention it.

So, keep your kids away from this sweet poison.