A diet high in sugars has been linked to cognitive impairments, negative neuroplasticity and emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. When we’re stressed it can be easy to reach for comfort foods like chocolate, ice-cream and cake. It temporarily makes us feel better due to an immediate surge in dopamine, which makes us feel incredible. However, intake of high sugar foods leads to poor blood sugar regulation and this can worsen feelings of anxiety and depression.
The metabolism of sugar also depletes many important nutrients. Thus, the more added sugars one consumes, the more nutritionally depleted one may become. Nutrients in the firing line include vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, chromium, vitamin C and B-vitamins.
Magnesium, zinc and B-vitamins play an important role in the synthesis of our neurotransmitters and help support a balanced stress response, so we want to optimise our intake and absorption (and limit excretion) as much as possible! Limited our sugar can help reduce the depletion of these important nutrients.
