Rapid socioeconomic development and expansion of the food industry have led to a substantial global rise in sugar consumption, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods. Added sugars provide empty calories and promote rapid glucose and insulin fluctuations. Excessive sugar intake is strongly linked to metabolic disorders such as obesity, insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. Emerging evidence suggests that high sugar consumption may also influence mental health. Depression and anxiety, affecting millions worldwide, contribute significantly to global disease burden. Observational studies report positive associations between high dietary sugar intake and increased risk of depression symptoms, although findings remain inconsistent. Proposed biological mechanisms include glycemic instability, activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, gut microbiota dysbiosis, reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels, and dysregulation of dopaminergic reward pathways. Elevated inflammatory cytokines such as TNF- and IL-6 may further impair neuroplasticity and emotional regulation. Despite growing research interest, the causal relationship between habitual sugar intake and mental health outcomes remains unclear. Comprehensive evaluation of existing evidence is therefore essential to better understand this association and inform dietary and public health strategies.

Dr. Vaishali Jadhav

Sugar consumption; Depression; Anxiety; Mental health; Inflammation; HPA axis.