In April 2019 researchers from Germany and the UK published their review of the medical scientific literature to assess the effect of carbohydrate consumption on mood. A total of 31 studies, involving 1,259 individuals, were included in the review. Results showed that there was no evidence that carbohydrates had a positive effect on any aspect of mood at any time-point following their consumption. In fact the consumption of carbohydrates was associated with higher levels of fatigue and less alertness compared with placebo within the first hour following ingestion. The researchers therefore concluded that their findings challenged the idea that carbohydrates can improve mood, that they could be used to increase the public’s awareness that a ‘sugar rush’ is a myth, and also to help form health policies to decrease sugar consumption, and promote healthier alternatives.
Mantantzis K et al. Sugar rush or sugar crash? A meta-analysis of carbohydrate effects on mood. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2019 Apr 3;101:45-67