Is the "Sugar Rush" after Eating Candy Real?
A “sugar rush” is believed to occur right after consuming large amounts of sugar. This “sugar rush” is perceived to give large amounts of energy and happiness to someone right after they consume large amounts of sugar. In children especially, it is believed to make them hyperactive. However, despite the ever-growing belief of sugar giving one energy, this belief is mainly false. Rather, sugar has negative, different effects on people.
Research has found that the belief in the “sugar rush” after consuming sugar is mainly false. A study from the U.K. researched the effects of sugar in a variety of moods and mental disorders. They compared data for the effects of sugar on the mental mind to control data of healthy adults through the technique of meta-analysis, finding no correlation between sugar intake and mood. Many other studies have also found no correlation between sugar intake and rushes of energy, even with data of people who consumed differing amounts of sugar. Furthermore, the Journal of the American Medical Association concluded that, in fact, that the “sugar rush” is not real. Therefore, sugar does not give one energy or regulate happiness; however, it has many negative effects.
Sugar has many different effects than the perceived “sugar rush.” Sugar may make one more tired, rather than give the energy and optimism a “sugar rush” is perceived to give. In fact, an article published by Dr. Amin on Regenerate finds that consuming large quantities of sugar hinders the production of the neuropeptide orexin, which makes one feel awake. And with orexin production hindered, people feel more tired. He further finds that sugar negatively affects the quality of sleep, making people feel tired as well. Because sugar hinders orexin production in the body, the susceptibility of someone to obesity or to gaining weight increases as well. This is because orexin regulates metabolism. These negative effects of sugar make it clear that sugar is not an adequate means of gaining energy.
Sugar is not a good source of energy because the “sugar rush” does not exist. Rather, the opposite is true because sugar makes one feel more tired and also negatively affects the quality of sleep. Also, because of the overall negative effects of sugar like weight gain and possibly obesity, it should be avoided. A better source of energy would be through the consumption of proteins, as it helps with feeling less tired and most forms of it are healthy for the body.
Sources:
Busting the Sugar-Hyperactivity Myth. WebMD.
www.webmd.com/parenting/features/busting-sugar-hyperactivity-myth.
Dr. Amin, M. Why You’re Extremely Tired After Eating Sugar During the Holidays.
Regenerate. 2019 December 29.
regeneratemedicalconcierge.com/tired-after-eating-sugar-during-the-
holidays/.
Newman, T. Is the 'sugar rush' a myth? MedicalNewsToday. 2019 April 6.
www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324896 .