A spoonful of sugar can calm diabetics.

• Position: Metabolism - Brief article

A spoonful of sugar may be enough to cool a hot temper, at least for a short time, reveal researchers at Ohio State University, Columbus. A study found that people who drank a glass of lemonade sweetened with sugar acted less aggressively toward a stranger a few minutes later than did those who consumed lemonade with a sugar substitute. Researchers believe it all has to do with glucose, a simple sugar found in the bloodstream that provides energy for the brain.

"Avoiding aggressive impulses takes self-control, and self-control takes a lot of energy. Glucose provides that energy in the brain," explains Brad Bushman, coauthor of the study and professor of communication and psychology. "Drinking sweetened lemonade helps provide the short-term energy needed to avoid lashing out at others."

The finding is more than just a medical curiosity, Bushman maintains. In two published papers, he and his colleagues did several studies showing that individuals who have trouble metabolizing (or using) glucose in their bodies show more evidence of aggression and less willingness to...