Not Plant Based is a platform providing food, health, fitness and motivation for troubled eaters – founded by
Laura Dennison and co-authored by
Eve Simmons.
We met with them recently to unite in our fight against the food fads and we look forward to working together in the future!
The wonderful ladies recently interviewed us about Food fads and myths that make us really angry (clue: there’s a lot!). Give this a read as we dispel the myths shown below, and separate fad from fact!
1) “Sugar-free” alternatives
2) “Detox” Diets
3) Carbohydrates make you fat
4) “Superfoods”
5) Sweeteners and additives are harmful
6) Protein supplements
7) Gluten is ‘bad’ for you
8) Cutting out entire food groups, i.e Dairy
These messages are great! Can you steer me in the right direction on articles to read about sugar and it’s effect on the brain in relation to mental health, please? Kate
Sent from my iPhone
>
Like Like
Hi Kate, this is an interesting question. At present, there is actually quite limited evidence for impacts of sugar intake on mental health. What we do know is that sugar intake affects blood sugar levels, and it is important to keep blood sugar levels stable to prevent dips in mood. This is summarised nicely by the BDA fact sheet: https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/foodmood.pdf
There is some limited evidence into sugar and the brain. Forgive us for not having time to critically appraise, but this Huffington Post article has some links to limited evidence (as you will see, most are done in animals): http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/06/sugar-brain-mental-health_n_6904778.html
Penn Nutrition provides an evidence based summary of sugar and mental health in children <18 years and concludes the following: Evidence Synthesis
No evidence was found on an association between added sugars and short- or long-term mental health effects in children ≤18 years, including autism and dementia. Grade of Evidence D
Practice Guidance
There is no information available on whether added sugar intake affects mental health in children. However, sugar provides calories without any additional nutrients, so it is recommended that sugar intake be limited according to Healthy Eating Guidelines.
We hope this helps.
Best wishes,
FTFs
Like Like