Scientists agree: “Consuming sugar after learning triggers memory consolidation”
A study published in March in the journal Nature shows that, at least in flies, sugar plays a very important role in memory.
One of the first foods nutritionists try to eliminate from their patients’ diets is sugar. Although it can appear in less obvious forms in fruits, there are products such as gummy candies and commercially baked goods that contain excessive amounts of refined sugar, which can act as toxins in the body.
Thousands of studies have examined sugar, producing mixed results. Many link excessive sugar consumption to weight gain, cognitive decline, a higher likelihood of developing dementia, addiction and mood changes, oral health problems, and even an increased risk of heart attack. However, a recent French study connects sugar with a positive effect on memory.
As always, the key lies in the dose. The study, published in Nature on March 25, was led by French scientists Thomas Preat and Pierre-Yves Plaçais. “The formation of food-related memories involves post-ingestion nutrient sensing signals,” they explain.
In their work, the scientists used flies that, when exposed to the smell of fructose, received small electric shocks. This allowed them to identify the presence of Gr43a neurons, which activate regardless of whether the flies have eaten after being exposed to fructose.
“Sugar ingestion activates disinhibited fructose-sensing neurons, which triggers memory consolidation through the release of the glycoprotein hormone thyrostimulin, as in appetitive learning,” the article’s abstract states.
The study also showed that this behavior of the Gr43a neurons only occurred when the flies were exposed to sugar after being tested with other substances such as fats. Overall, the findings represent an important step forward, even though they are limited to flies and much work remains to be done in humans.
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