Blood sugar & brain power

Why is carbohydrate important?
All carbohydrate is converted into glucose and will have an
impact on blood glucose levels. Since this is the case, some people
with diabetes wonder if it would be better not to have any
carbohydrate in their diet to keep their glucose levels under
control. This is not recommended as:
• glucose from carbohydrate is essential to the body, especially the brain

Click to expand...

A sugary snack or soft drink that quickly raises your blood sugar level gives you a boost (and any caffeine adds to the lift), but it's short-lived. When you eat something with a high sugar content your pancreas starts to secrete insulin. Insulin triggers cells throughout your body to pull the excess glucose out of your bloodstream and store it for later use.

Soon, the glucose available to your brain has dropped. Neurons, unable to store glucose, experience an energy crisis. Hours later, you feel spaced-out, weak, confused, and/or nervous. Your ability to focus and think suffers. The name for this glucose deficiency is hypoglycemia , and it can even lead to unconsciousness.

Click to expand...

Diabetics are more likely to suffer a decline in mental ability as they age, due to a narrowing of the arteries that can lead to tiny strokes and gradual brain damage.

Diabetics experience a decline in speed of processing information.

People with type 2 diabetes have a 9% increased risk of developing dementia – and Alzheimer's disease. People with diabetes are also more susceptible to depression than the general population.

Click to expand...