Processed sugars are the devil!
Processed sugars are major culprits in the cause of depression and anxiety disorders. Eating lots of processed sugar is going to cause sudden peaks and valleys in the levels of glucose in your blood. You may feel tired, irritable, and dizzy, and experience insomnia, depression, poor concentration and forgetfulness, excessive thirst, crying spells, digestive problems and blurred vision. and excessive sweating. Our bodies depend on an even supply of glucose in the brain, Sugar has been implicated in Fatique, aggressive behavior, anxiety, and depression. Refined sugars and refined carbohydrates (like white bread, white pasta, white rice and most processed foods,) are also linked with depression since these foods supply very little in the way of nutrients but they also use up the mood enhancing B vitamins. Our body needs B Vitamins to turn sugar into energy. In fact, a study of over 3,000 middle-aged people , published in British Journal of Psychiatry found that those who had a diet which contained a lot of processed foods had a 58% increased risk for depression, whereas those who ate a much healthier diet had a 26% reduced risk for depression.. Processed Sugar also adversly affects the supply of chromium, a nutrient that affects the mood. Chromium is vital for keeping your blood sugar level stable because insulin, which clears glucose from the blood, can’t work properly without it. Be aware of the sugar that is hidden in your diet. It is everywhere. even in foods you would normally expect to find it like Ketchup, cereals, salad dressings, and peanut butter. Always read food labels and become very aware and educated about what is in your foods!
There are a lot of good sources for sweeteners that do not have the harmful affects of processed sugars. Some to consider are honey, pure maple sugar, stevia and xylitol. Try replacing the sweet foods in your diet with fresh fruits.