Sugar and Headaches

The reason why sugar (sucrose) gives you a headache is not readily understood. From a biological standpoint, I can't think of a valid response. I know a lack of sugar could give people headaches because they become hypoglycemic. The consumption of sucrose leads to the release of insulin. Insulin makes cells in your body, especially in the liver, more permeable to glucose, thereby decreasing blood sugar levels - this is normal. Under normal circumstances, delivery of glucose is kept constant by insulin created in the pancreas; but when the system fails, arteries cramp up, trying to force more flow. A headache is the brain's signal that it is in distress. Personally, I don't get headaches at all. Either you have a metabolic issue or could be diabetic.