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The brain is only about 2 per cent of our weight, but it uses about a quarter of the sugar in the body at rest. In other words, the brain is one sugar-dependent organ. If it’s not adequately fuelled, it tends to malfunction. Common ways this plays out include poor concentration, loss of focus, and a mind completely devoid of fresh ideas and inspiration.

Brain Drain

While facilitating a wellness programme for a group of partners in a financial services firm, one of the delegates recounted a story that aptly demonstrated the hazards of low blood sugar with regard to brain function. He had travelled to a regional office to give a presentation to a large group of colleagues in the late morning. When he got up to speak, though, ‘gibberish’ (in his own words) came out of his mouth. He composed himself, started again, but the result was the same.

He excused himself and recommended that everyone reconvene in ten minutes. During that time he ate some biscuits. Almost instantly, his mental powers were restored. It turns out he had eaten nothing since dinner the night before and, in all likelihood, had unwittingly allowed his blood sugar levels to sink too low. He remarked that it was a good job the meeting was internal, and that his brain freeze did not happen in front of a key client.