The association between sugar consumption and mental well-being and perceived energy

Abstract

Sugar consumption has a correlation with obesity, numerous physiological and psychological illnesses, and has been found to be potentially addictive. It has also been found that sugar consumption can change the brain neurochemistry, especially when consumed in excessive quantities. Sugar consumption has been linked to a variety of psychological issues, such as stress, major depression, psychological distress, and suicidal ideation. Nevertheless, research on the association between sugar consumption and mental well-being are immensely scarce. Furthermore, no studies were found concerning sugar consumption and perceived energy. The current study assessed the association between sugar consumption and mental well-being as well as perceived energy. Participants were 300, thereof 239 females and 60 males. Participants answered a questionnaire about their dietary habits and well-being. Correlation was found between sugar consumption and stress and perceived energy. Evaluation of physical shape, stress symptoms, and perceived energy were found to predict sugar consumption. However, sugar consumption did not predict mental-well being or perceived energy. The results of the study, strengths and weaknesses are discussed, as well as future research.

Sykurneysla hefur fylgni við offitu, fjölda líkamlegra og andlegra sjúkdóma, og er mögulega ávanabindandi. Sýnt hefur verið fram á að sykurneysla geti breytt taugaefnafræði heilans, sérstaklega þegar hans er neytt í miklum mæli. Sykurneysla hefur verið tengd við fjölda andlegra kvilla, eins og streitu, þunglyndi, sálfræðilegar þjáningar og sjálfsvígshugsanir. Engu að síður eru rannsóknir á sykurneyslu og andlegri líðan einstaklega fágætar. Enn fremur fundust engar rannsóknir á sykurneyslu og skynjaðri orku. Þátttakendur voru 300 talsins, þar af 239 konur og 60 karlar. Þátttakendur svöruðu spurningalista hvað varðaði mataræði þeirra og líðan. Fylgni fannst á milli sykurneyslu og streitu og skynjaðrar orku. Mat á líkamlegu formi, streitueinkenni og skynjuð orka spáðu fyrir um sykurneyslu. Hins vegar spáði sykurneysla ekki fyrir um andlega líðan eða skynjaða orku. Niðurstöður rannsóknarinnar eru ræddar, sem og styrkleikar hennar og veikleikar, ásamt umræðu um frekari rannsóknir.