Negative Effects Of Excessive Sugar Consumption, Can Trigger Mental Health To Brain Function

Illustration of eating sugar (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Excessive sugar consumption is closely related to an increased risk of mental disorders, such as depression.

This was revealed by dr. Rozana Nurfitria Yulia, M. Nutrition, Sp.GK, a Clinical Nutrition Specialist from the National Brain Center Hospital (RSPON), in a webinar. He explained that the assumption of eating sweet foods or drinks as a solution when depression is actually a wrong step.

Instead of relaxing, high sugar intake actually triggers an increase in the hormone cortisol, known as the stress hormone. This process occurs because high sugar levels in the body trigger inflammation or inflammation, which then stimulates the release of cortisol.

Ironically, this increase in cortisol actually has an impact on increasing blood sugar levels, creating a circle that exacerbates depression.

A study involving 1.3 million participants studied the correlation between food glucose intake and the risk of depression. The results show that 100 grams of sugar consumption per day increases the chances of a person experiencing depression by nearly 28 percent.

Therefore, dr. Rozana emphasized the importance of vigilance against sugar intake, especially those hidden in packaged or processed drinks, where sugar content is often difficult to control. He reminded that the negative impact of sugar is not only limited to metabolic problems, but also significantly to mental health.

Furthermore, dr. Rozana explained how sugar, which is the result of carbohydrate metabolism into glucose, affects brain function. The brain uses about 20 percent of glucose intake as its main energy source. However, too high glucose levels also have a negative impact. One of them is disruption to memory function.

Over-glucose triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and euphoria. This effect creates an addictive or addiction sensation, where one tends to seek repeated sugar consumption to get a similar sensation.

Dr. Rozana highlighted that this sugar addictive effect is even juxtaposed with the negative impact of narcotics or illegal drugs in several studies in the United States. Body tolerance for sugar can also increase, so it takes more sugar to achieve the same dopamine effect.

In terms of cognitive, excessive sugar intake can also disrupt memory, causing problems such as forgetting frequently. This is due to the influence of dopamine and other neurotransmitters associated with memory functions. Therefore, dr. Rozana suggests for those who often experience problems forgetting to consider the possibility of excessive sugar intake.