Dr Bollmann, Skin Care Specialist, Anti-Aging Expert

We have known for some time about the dangers of sugar. Most experts in the anti-aging field recognize sugar as the main cause of inflammation in the cell, leading to most diseases and the aging phenomenon. Inflammation is the new buzz word as the main cause of most diseases, especially those of a chronic nature.

Results of a study conducted at the University of Southern California (USC) has shown that adolescent rats that freely consumed large quantities of liquid solutions containing sugar or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) in concentrations comparable to popular sugar-sweetened beverages experienced memory problems and brain inflammation, and became pre-diabetics. 

On the other hand, intake of HFCS or sucrose in adults did not impact spatial learning, glucose tolerance, or neuroinflammatory markers. The brain is especially vulnerable to dietary influences during critical periods of development, like adolescence.

Consuming a diet high in added sugars not only can lead to weight gain and metabolic disturbances, but can also negatively impact our neural functioning and cognitive ability.

This means it is a good idea to keep kids away from sugar and sugary drinks like soda, whether diet or regular.

And it also means keep sugar intake at a minimum for health and disease prevention.