Glucose is the fuel used to promote brain function. It is a sugar that must be provided daily through the diet because the brain can’t store glucose. While the neurons in your brain depend on a constant supply of the carbohydrate glucose, too much sugar can have the opposite effect and deplete the bloodstream of the important energy supply.
Effects
Mental activity requires a stable supply of sugar in the form of glucose, according to the Franklin Institute. When insufficient amounts of glucose reach the brain, it results in memory loss, reduced learning abilities and an inability to concentrate. Students need to maintain a maximum amount of healthy glucose to effectively learn new material, concentrate on their studies and retain the information. The high-energy effects of sweets are short-lived and trigger a boost in insulin production. The insulin triggers glucose storage in other parts of the body, depriving the brain of its usefulness.
Overload
As insulin is stored in your body for later use, the amount that goes to the brain drops. Within a few hours of eating a sweet snack, students feel confused, spaced-out and weak. They lose their ability to concentrate and focus. They can't think clearly and often feel the need for sleep. The glucose deficiency can lead to hypoglycemia and coma. Repeated sugar overload eventually can lead to type 2 diabetes and an even greater risk of reduced learning abilities. Diabetes causes the arteries to contract, reducing the amount of glucose available for mental acuity. Students who develop diabetes are at a greater risk of depression and reduced mental cognition as they age.
Obesity
A diet high in simple carbohydrates and sweets can lead to obesity that carries its own set of risks for students. Children and adolescents who are obese are at a greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, asthma, sleep disorders and joint problems. Low self-esteem and depression often accompany obesity and directly affect students' abilities to learn. As they mature, obese children are at a greater risk of developing a food disorder that can lead to binging or anorexia. Students with eating disorders incur a wide range of disabilities that affect learning.
Options
Healthy sweets release glucose at a moderate level that the brain utilizes best. Foods that are low-glycemic can boost mental activity, increase concentration and learning abilities and help students focus. Sweet fruits such as strawberries, apples, dried apricots, mangos and peaches minimize swings in blood sugar levels to boost students' learning abilities. Desserts with a low glycemic value that won't interfere with learning abilities when eaten in moderation include angel food cake, graham crackers, yogurt, pound cake, vanilla wafers and frozen tofu, according to the Franklin Institute.
Member Comments