Sugar high: Difference between revisions
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#REDIRECT[[List_of_common_misconceptions#Nutrition.2C_food.2C_and_drink]] |
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{{see also|Sugar-high myth}} |
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The expression '''sugar high''' (or less often '''sugar rush''') refers to a popular belief that [[carbohydrates]] can have [[psychoactive]] effects when ingested at high levels, above the daily intake limits. This includes anecdotal evidence of increased energy and [[hyperkinesis|hyperactivity]].{{fact|date=November 2012}} |
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==Etymology== |
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The term is a combination of the terms ''sugar'' and ''high'', with sugar referring to a carbohydrate and high referencing a common term for the collective effects of bona fide [[psychoactive drug]]s such as [[amphetamine]].{{fact|date=November 2012}} |
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==The myth== |
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Despite considerable public debate on the validity of such as thing as a "sugar high", scientific studies show no correlation between sugar intake and changes in behavior.<ref>{{cite journal| author=Kanarek RB |title=Does sucrose or aspartame cause hyperactivity in children? |journal=Nutr Rev. |edition=52 |issue=5 |year=1994}}</ref><ref name="festive myths">{{Cite journal|author=Vreeman RC, Carroll AE|title=Festive medical myths|journal=BMJ|volume=337|pages=a2769|year=2008|pmid=19091758|doi=10.1136/bmj.a2769}}</ref><ref name="MedicalMythsUniversityOfArkansasMedicalSciences">{{cite web|url=http://www.uamshealth.com/?id=877&sid=1|title=Medical Myths – University of Arkansas Medical Sciences|publisher=[[University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences]]|accessdate=February 10, 2011}}</ref> Additionally, nutrition experts regard the belief commonly held by parents that their children can experience a sugar high as a myth.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fullerton-Smith|first=Jill|title=The Truth About Food|publisher=Bloomsbury|year=2007|pages=115–117|isbn=978-0-7475-8685-2|quote="Most parents assume that children plus sugary foods equals raucous and uncontrollable behaviour.[…] according to nutrition experts, the belief that children experience a "sugar high" is a myth."}}</ref> |
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==Metabolism== |
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Sugars are rapidly converted by the body to [[glucose]], a very simple sugar which is used in the reaction of [[cellular respiration]]. In cellular respiration glucose is which produces molecular energy known as [[Adenosine triphosphate|adenosine triphosphate (ATP)]]. |
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===Metabolism of glucose into ATP=== |
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Glucose circulating throughout the body enters cells and begins a metabolic cycle of glycolysis which starts with glucose and ends with [[pyruvate]]. The whole process yields energy in the form of ATP. |
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===Sequence of reactions=== |
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{{Glycolysis}} |
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*In the first phase of glycolysis the metabolism of glucose can be simplified as: glucose → glucose 6-phosphate → fructose 6-phosphate → fructose 1,6-biphosphate → dihydroxyacetone phosphate & glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. |
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**First phase results in -2 ATP and +2 [[adenosine diphosphate|ADP]] |
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*In the second phase of glycolysis: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate + dihydroxyacetone phosphate → glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate → 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate → 3-phosphosphoglycerate → 2-phosphosphoglycerate → phosphoenolpyruvate |
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**Second phase results in +4 ATP (2 * 2) and -4 ATP (-2 * 2) |
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Therefore glycolysis from glucose creates a total of +2 ATP, which increases the energy available for cells in the body. |
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===Excess sugar=== |
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Another thing to consider is that the body rapidly levels out levels of glucose in the blood through the rapid insulin response making it very unlikely that one could achieve higher than normal blood levels without suffering the effects from [[hyperglycemia]].<ref>[[Blood sugar regulation]]</ref> |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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[[Category:Sugar]] |
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[[Category:Urban legends]] |
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Revision as of 23:58, 14 December 2012
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2012) |
 | This article contains weasel words: vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information. (November 2012) |
The expression sugar high (or less often sugar rush) refers to a popular belief that carbohydrates can have psychoactive effects when ingested at high levels, above the daily intake limits. This includes anecdotal evidence of increased energy and hyperactivity.[citation needed]
Etymology
The term is a combination of the terms sugar and high, with sugar referring to a carbohydrate and high referencing a common term for the collective effects of bona fide psychoactive drugs such as amphetamine.[citation needed]
The myth
Despite considerable public debate on the validity of such as thing as a "sugar high", scientific studies show no correlation between sugar intake and changes in behavior.[1][2][3] Additionally, nutrition experts regard the belief commonly held by parents that their children can experience a sugar high as a myth.[4]
Metabolism
Sugars are rapidly converted by the body to glucose, a very simple sugar which is used in the reaction of cellular respiration. In cellular respiration glucose is which produces molecular energy known as adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Metabolism of glucose into ATP
Glucose circulating throughout the body enters cells and begins a metabolic cycle of glycolysis which starts with glucose and ends with pyruvate. The whole process yields energy in the form of ATP.
Sequence of reactions
- In the first phase of glycolysis the metabolism of glucose can be simplified as: glucose → glucose 6-phosphate → fructose 6-phosphate → fructose 1,6-biphosphate → dihydroxyacetone phosphate & glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate.
- First phase results in -2 ATP and +2 ADP
- In the second phase of glycolysis: glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate + dihydroxyacetone phosphate → glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate → 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate → 3-phosphosphoglycerate → 2-phosphosphoglycerate → phosphoenolpyruvate
- Second phase results in +4 ATP (2 * 2) and -4 ATP (-2 * 2)
Therefore glycolysis from glucose creates a total of +2 ATP, which increases the energy available for cells in the body.
Excess sugar
Another thing to consider is that the body rapidly levels out levels of glucose in the blood through the rapid insulin response making it very unlikely that one could achieve higher than normal blood levels without suffering the effects from hyperglycemia.[5]
References
- ^ Kanarek RB (1994). "Does sucrose or aspartame cause hyperactivity in children?". Nutr Rev. (5) (52 ed.).
- ^ Vreeman RC, Carroll AE (2008). "Festive medical myths". BMJ. 337: a2769. doi:10.1136/bmj.a2769. PMID 19091758.
- ^ "Medical Myths – University of Arkansas Medical Sciences". University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
- ^ Fullerton-Smith, Jill (2007). The Truth About Food. Bloomsbury. pp. 115–117. ISBN 978-0-7475-8685-2.
Most parents assume that children plus sugary foods equals raucous and uncontrollable behaviour.[…] according to nutrition experts, the belief that children experience a "sugar high" is a myth.
- ^ Blood sugar regulation