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Men’s Sweet Tooth Can Increase Risk of Anxiety and Depression by 23 Percent

  • July 28, 2017

A new study shows that men who indulge in sweets can increase their risk of anxiety and depression by 23 percent, according to New Scientist. Researchers speculate that sugar may affect nerve cells involved in neuron development in the brain, which then affects anxiety and depression levels. Sugar also increases inflammation in the body, which can increase your risk for depression.

When feelings of sadness or anxiety overwhelm them, it’s not uncommon for some people to grab a sweet snack in an effort to soothe whatever it is that’s worrying them. But if you’ve done this yourself, and found that no amount of sweetness seems to help, then you probably can understand why the last thing you need when you’re down is sugar.

Research suggests consumption of sugar and sweets actually triggers reward and craving states in your brain similar to addictive drugs, and left unchecked, leaves the door open to a vicious cycle of cravings and feelings of depression. Unfortunately, aside from the known diseases that high sugar consumption causes such as arthritis, cancer, insulin resistance and diabetes, overconsumption of sugar is also increasingly linked to brain-related health issues such as depression, learning disorders, memory problems and overeating.

So, if you’re looking for a quick pick-me-up that can help, instead of grabbing a refined sugar food or beverage, reach for a healthy fat such as a handful of macadamia nuts or pecans. A plate of sliced avocados is a good fat, too, and is quick to fix. If you have problems with sugar cravings, use the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to tap your way free from a sugar addiction.