STUDY: Sugary Beverages May Inhibit Complete Relaxation During Massage

Researchers in Germany discovered that drinking sugary beverages prior to a massage can hinder the body's ability to fully relax.

The investigation involved 94 healthy adult participants who consumed either a glucose solution matching the sugar content of two sodas or plain water before undergoing either a massage session or a period of rest. Although both massage and rest activated the parasympathetic nervous system responsible for relaxation, those who ingested the sugary drink exhibited persistently heightened sympathetic nervous system activity, commonly associated with the fight-or-flight response, which did not diminish during the massage.

Conversely, participants who drank water showed a complete reduction in stress-related nervous system activity. Interestingly, the group that consumed glucose demonstrated improved performance on subsequent attention assessments, indicating a possible compromise between enhanced cognitive alertness and physical relaxation.