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High blood sugar has been linked to memory loss and cognitive decline. Sugar consumption can lead to premature aging of the brain. Neurology, AAN: Even for people who don’t have diabetes or high blood sugar, those with higher blood sugar levels are more likely to have memory problems, according to a new study published in the October 23, 2013, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology .

Source: http://www.sugarstacks.com/beverages.htm

Sugar decreases learning performance in young children. According to a report in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, a 1986 study took a look at the effects of sucrose on preschool children. Researchers discovered that in all subjects, there was a decrease in learning performance after children were given a sugary drink. This was most notable within 45 to 60 minutes following ingestion of the sugar. These findings seem to suggest that learning performance may be affected by the dietary intake of sugar.

Sugar is listed on food labels under many names. Though the back of a granola bar may not list sugar as an ingredient, your body responds the same way to sugar in all its forms. Here's a quick list of the many names sugar can hide under, via Harvard School of Public Health: Agave nectar, cane crystals, cane sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, crystalline fructose, dextrose, evaporated cane juice, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, malt syrup, maple syrup, molasses, sucrose, and syrup.

“One good place to start improving your food choices is to eliminate sugary drinks — and not just soda, but juices. Sugar increases belly fat and fiber reduces belly fat; thus when you're juicing fruits, you're removing the fiber, leaving pure sugar. So one quick fix, a very concrete fix, would be eliminating sugary drinks. Recent studies have shown that sugar overuse is very widespread. Even kids who are growing and need energy should be consuming less than 14 tsp. of sugar per day, and right now, the average kid consumes around 40 tsp. a day, which is far too much. That 40 tsp. includes not just table sugar that we sprinkle on foods, but sugar hidden in foods and drinks. Replacing sugary beverages with water will help dramatically cut down your sugar intake, and then once you've taken that step, you can figure out how to cut down on foods that are high in sugar.” See link to full article: http://www.rush.edu/rumc/page-1298330047559.html

Sugar can actually suppress your immune system, causing your body to get common sicknesses more often. Source: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/26/11/

Scientists have noted sugar molecules are present in high numbers near cancer cells. A 2013 study by the University of Copenhagen shows that sugar actually aids the growth of malignant cells.

One Weight Watchers blueberry muffin (2.2 ounces) contains 18–21 grams of sugar and 180–190 calories. Source: WebMD

Read more: Fat does not make you fat, sugar makes you fat

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Coffee, blueberries, and salmon all contain micronutrients essential for your brain. Source: Best foods for focus