Sugar does make things taste better but does it make you feel better?
SUGAR has become quite a vital ingredient in many dishes for its ability to elevate flavours. It is incorporated into desserts, and pairs well with snacks like roti canai. It’s a common belief that sugar boosts your mood. Well, we cannot disagree especially after consuming a decadent chocolate cake. Many attribute their 'sweet tooth' to their heightened sense of euphoria.
But is it true that sugar makes you happy?
Verdict:
TRUE
Yes, as most of us are aware by now, sugar improves your mood but it is fleeting.
Sugar is a form of energy that stimulates the "feel good" hormone, known as dopamine.
Studies have shown that the consumption of sugary food causes a temporary spike in happy chemicals. And dopamine is responsible for the "pleasure" some of us may experience.
However, there’s far more to the sugar effect than meets the eye.
Some of the health issues, such as cardiovascular disease, have a close tie to over-consumption of refined sugar.
As much as it is a bad influence on our health, it has a positive impact on our emotions but only to a certain degree. Many of us seem to have an insatiable craving for sugar and it is a slippery slope. In the meanwhile, it is no easy battle for those who want to abstain from it. And this is why; sugar in our system is akin to drugs like cocaine, explaining why people get hooked on it.
Though there’s no need to completely steer away from sugar, just be mindful of what you are letting into your body.
For starters, get it from the right source like fruits and vegetables. The real culprit is refined sugar, which can be found in processed food.
References:
1. https://www.pursuit-of-happiness.org/science-of-happiness/exercise/nutrition/
2. https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthful-habits/sugar-does-it-really-cause-hyperactivity
3. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2014/01/15/262741403/why-sugar-makes-us-feel-so-good
