Recent research says that there is no such thing as a sugar rush. It actually makes us feel fatigued and lose mental sharpness when we consume it. Which is interesting, because there are plenty of sugar myths out there on the internet. Let’s see what they are.Â
Lately, fat has been losing its total world domination when it comes to its reputation of the worst thing you can eat. Of course, the sugar industry can be partly blamed for that reputation, too. Now we know that not all fats are bad for us. For instance, saturated fats used in processed foods really are the stuff of nightmares. Even more interesting, sugar is now getting to have a reputation as the worst thing we can eat.
Who hasn’t had a chocolate bar for energy at least once, while trying to get some urgent task done at work? I think we’ve all been guilty of that. That’s why we’ve decided to look further into a few sugar myths, sifting for the truth.
3 sugar myths and the truth
1. Sugar gives you energy
This recent study published in the journal for Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews blows up the idea that any sugar-rich food gives us a sugar rush that we can use for a good purpose. The research looked at the effects of sugar on mood and the conclusions aren’t really good news. Scientists discovered that sugar rushes don’t really exist and that sweet food not only doesn’t give us extra energy, but it also drains us of our reserves. Sweet foods make us lose mental clarity and sharpness as well.
The new research was done by a European team and is a meta-analysis of over 31 studies in this area. The researchers wanted to also find out if sugar is good in any way for physical, but also mental activity. The answer is no, on both counts.
2. Fruit juice has no sugar in it
You can also consider this myth as being completely “busted”. And this is because fruits contain fructose, a type of sugar in and of itself. Just like glucose in other foods. And the way our bodies metabolize fructose and glucose are quite similar. What’s the conclusion, then? Fruit juices also contain plenty of sugar and that’s why we clearly have to drink them as little as possible. Even if these juices are rich in other things like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Not to mention that another recent study warns us that drinking sweet drinks, including the ones made with fruit, can raise the risk of having cancer.
3. Brown sugar and honey are healthier
How many of us prefer to buy and use brown sugar and honey instead of white sugar? The problem is that all types of sugar, including brown sugar, honey, agave, and maple syrup, affect your body in similar ways as white sugar. Agave can be pretty full of fructose, which leads us back to the second myth in this list. This means you should totally consume it in as small quantities as possible.
But also, there are some studies out there that have found a link between consuming fructose and some hormonal changes that can make you eat way too much. This means weight gain, but also being more vulnerable to health issues.
