Effects of High White and Brown Sugar Consumption on Serum Level of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Insulin Resistance, and Body Weight in Albino Rats

Abstract

Background: In recent decades, consumption of simple sugars has increased dramatically. This consumption contributes to development of health problems including insulin resistance and obesity. In this study, we investigated the effects of high concentrations of white sugar (WS) and brown sugar (BS) on serum concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin resistance, and body weight in albino rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, a group treated with 15% WS, and a group treated with 15% BS. Rats were given WS and BS by gavage (daily) for 42 days. At the end of the intervention period, serum level of BDNF, insulin resistance, and body weight were measured. Results: Body weight and insulin resistance were significantly increased in both WS and BS groups compared to the control group (P<0.05). In the WS-treated rats, serum level of BDNF decreased compared to that in BS-treated and control groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Due to the adverse effects of consuming high levels of WS and BS on serum level of BDNF, insulin resistance, and body weight, high intakes of these sweeteners are not recommended.

Brown sugar polyphenols as natural inhibitors of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase enzymes

“…The presence of those nonsugar compounds makes BS more than just a sweetener; it is a whole food of high nutritional value (Jaffé, 2015). Those nonsugar compounds found in BS give it a series of functional activities, such as antioxidant, antitoxicity, antianaemia and antiatherosclerotic effects, which provide protective effects against bronchitis, diabetes, cough, obesity and dyslipidaemia (Azlan et al ., 2020; Barrera et al ., 2020; Shamsi‐Goushki et al ., 2020; Cifuentes et al ., 2021). Due to its health‐promoting effects, BS has been used as a traditional ‘medicinal sugar’ in the tropics and subtropics for generations and has even been used for pharmaceutical formulations (Seguí et al ., 2015).…”

“…Likewise, rats fed on high‐fat diet (HFD) with BS (10%) maintained glucose tolerance similar to the control group, while those fed on HFD with white sugar showed glucose intolerance (Sánchez‐Tapia et al ., 2020). In a recent investigation, the negative effects of BS (15%) on the diabetic factors such as insulin resistance and weight gain of rats were less than that of white sugar (Shamsi‐Goushki et al ., 2020). The effectiveness of BS in preventing diabetes was attributed to its functional compounds retained during the minimal chemical processing (Alarcón et al ., 2021).…”