The scary truth about sugar and nighttime anxiety: How to sleep soundly

You know how low you feel after a sugar binge. Guilty, down, depressed…

Well it might be more than just a slump in energy. Here’s how eating sugar can cause anxiety at night…

Eating sugar spikes blood sugar levels that later crash after a period of not eating- like at night. This instability is linked to several mental health issues, including anxiety. Sugar also causes inflammation and degrades sleep, both of which have a negative effect on mood.

Does sugar cause anxiety at night?

It’s no secret that sugar can wreak havoc on our health. We all know that too much sugar can lead to weight gain, cavities, and a host of other problems. But did you know that sugar can also cause anxiety? In fact, the connection between sugar and anxiety is very real. Here’s what you need to know about the link between sugar and anxiety and what you can do to protect your family from its effects.

The Link Between Sugar and Anxiety

There are a few ways in which sugar can contribute to anxiety:

Sugar spikes blood sugar levels

First, when we eat sugary foods, our blood sugar levels spike. This causes a release of adrenaline, which can lead to feelings of anxiety and nervousness.

It’s widely known that the brain relies heavily on glucose for normal functioning. New research is further revealing that periodic fluctuations in blood sugar could be a major contributor to emotional instability. Recent studies show an unexpectedly strong relationship between elevated and reduced glycemic levels and certain mental health symptoms, such as anxiety or irritability. Individuals with diabetes are up to 25% more likely to suffer from depression – making them ideal contributors when looking into how varying degrees of sugar consumption can influence mood disorders.

Read this article to learn how choosing meat over sugar can boost your son’s brain development!

Sugar causes Inflammation

Another way sugar may contribute to anxiety is through its role in contributing to inflammation. Recent research has linked high-sugar diets with elevated markers of systemic inflammation, which has been associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression(1).

It has been noted that sugary and processed foods may be one of the leading factors in developing chronic inflammation. In those already struggling, it works to aggravate the inflammation (2).

Recent research reveals that individuals suffering from anxiety disorders may have higher levels of inflammation. One might wonder how inflammation and anxiety are connected. It appears that inflammation can disrupt the delicate balance of hormones and neurotransmitters, which are crucial for maintaining optimal mental health. Moreover, inflammation can trigger oxidative stress and hinder the smooth functioning of the gut-brain connection — these detrimental effects have been known to contribute to anxiety and depression(3).

Learn more about inflammation and the foods to avoid here!

Sugar degrades sleep

Finally, sugar itself hurts our sleep, which in turn causes anxiety. When we eat sugar late in the day, it can cause an increase in energy and make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep.

Poor quality sleep is associated with increased levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, both of which are linked to anxious feelings. Research has also found that poor sleep can increase the risk of developing depression, which is closely linked to anxiety(4).

Is your son always tired? Understand the reasons why here…

The importance of sleep for children

We all know that getting enough sleep is important, however the actual benefits and consequences of skimping on rest are often underestimated. When we don’t get enough shut-eye our bodies miss out on a range of vital functions it needs in order to stay healthy and strong. Often the immediate effects of tiredness and lack of focus felt after a sleepless night can be counteracted by an extra coffee or power nap. But if our insufficient rest becomes chronic, then more serious health problems such as high blood pressure and trouble with immune system responses may ensue. This is not just limited to adults, but early life development too; making adequate sleep essential for children and teens not only during this stage but throughout their lives!

Read here for more on the importance of sleep for children…

Anxiety and sleep

We all know how important a good night’s sleep is for our overall health and well-being.

It is vital for us to understand the interconnection between sleep quality and anxiety in order to better manage our overall wellbeing.

Remarkably, epidemiological studies have discovered that sleep disturbances, especially insomnia, impact around 50% of individuals experiencing anxiety.

Furthermore, inadequate sleep itself can contribute to the emergence or aggravation of anxiety-related symptoms. This vicious cycle can also lead to decreased serotonin production – a crucial chemical in regulating our mood – exacerbating these negative effects. For our overall health and happiness, we must recognize the importance of prioritizing proper rest and seeking helpful solutions to tackle both anxiety and sleep disruptions(5).

Does obesity cause mental health issues? Read more here!

What You Can Do to Reduce Sugar Intake

If you’re worried about the effects of sugar on your family’s health, there are a few things you can do to reduce your intake. First of all, stop believing in the myth of low-fat diets. The outdated theory that fat is bad for us often leads people to choose foods that are low in fat but high in sugar.

Fat is essential for our health and should not be feared. Though there are fats to watch out for such as polyunsaturated oils and trans fats, it is much better to base our diets around saturated and monounsaturated fats than sugars and carbohydrates.

When it comes to choosing your child’s snacks, prioritise whole animal products over processed bars and packets. Anything that comes with a list of ingredients, especially ones that are hard to pronounce, probably contains hidden sugars. Go back to nature and human evolution and disregard any children’s foods that come from a factory.

Read here to learn more about fats and why we need them!

Summary

Eating sugar can disrupt our sleep and cause anxiety.

Insufficient sleep can have a range of serious health consequences, particularly for children and young people.

Anxiety is often linked to poor sleep quality, decreased serotonin production and increased inflammation in the body.

Low-fat diets are often accompanied by high levels of sugar.

Eat natural. Eat human!

Raise Your Legacy!

References