Research, research, research

by M. Stewart

It turns out that sugar may not only be bad for us, but literally toxic—certainly in the amounts that Americans consume the stuff.

Surely something is going on. According to an article in the New York Times Magazine, “In 1980, roughly one in seven Americans was obese, and almost six million were diabetic, and the obesity rates, at least, hadn’t changed significantly in the 20 years previously. By the early 2000s, when sugar consumption peaked, one in every three Americans was obese, and 14 million were diabetic.”

For an extensive review of contemporary research on the issue of sugar and its connection to obesity, diabetes, and cancer, check out Is sugar toxic? I must warn you that the article is fairly long, but it’s worth the time.  

If your attention span is wanting, here’s something a bit shorter. New research done at Kent State University indicates that there is a link between body weight and memory—as in overweight people display weaker memory skills than those who are not overweight. Maybe a better way of putting it is that weight loss improves memory.

Last but not least, British scientists have discovered that one’s political persuasion may be connected to brain structure. According to an article in the The Telegraph, “Scientists found that those with conservative views have brains with larger amygdalas, almond-shaped areas in the centre of the brain associated with anxiety and emotions. On the other hand, they have a smaller anterior cingulate, an area at the front of the brain associated with courage and looking on the bright side of life.”