Higher Sucrose Intake Predicts Very Slightly Lower Overall Mood for Population

Overall Mood was generally 3% higher than average after a total of 0.0102 grams of Sucrose over the previous 14 days.

Aggregated data from 4 study participants suggests with a MEDIUM degree of confidence (p=0.233, 95% CI -0.498 to 0.426) that Sucrose has a very weakly negative predictive relationship (R=-0.036) with Overall Mood.

The highest quartile of Overall Mood measurements were observed following an average 0.606 grams Sucrose per day.

The lowest quartile of Overall Mood measurements were observed following an average 0.554 grams of Sucrose per day.

After an onset delay of 30 minutes, Overall Mood is typically 3% lower than average over the 14 days following around 0.554 grams Sucrose.

The objective of this study is to determine the nature of the relationship (if any) between Sucrose and Overall Mood. Additionally, we attempt to determine the Sucrose values most likely to produce optimal Overall Mood values.

Manual Recording Option

Create a reminder for Sucrose here and record it daily by enabling notifications or using the reminder inbox here .

Manual Recording Option

Create a reminder for Overall Mood here and record it daily by enabling notifications or using the reminder inbox here .

This study is based on data donated by 4 participants. Thus, the study design is equivalent to the aggregation of 4 separate n=1 observational natural experiments.

Sucrose Pre-Processing

Sucrose measurement values below 0 grams were assumed erroneous and removed. No maximum allowed measurement value was defined for Sucrose. It was assumed that any gaps in Sucrose data were unrecorded 0 grams measurement values.

Overall Mood Pre-Processing

Overall Mood measurement values below 1 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. Overall Mood measurement values above 5 out of 5 were assumed erroneous and removed. No missing data filling value was defined for Overall Mood so any gaps in data were just not analyzed instead of assuming zero values for those times.

Predictive Analytics

It was assumed that 30 minutes would pass before a change in Sucrose would produce an observable change in Overall Mood.

It was assumed that Sucrose could produce an observable change in Overall Mood for as much as 14 days after the stimulus event.

Using a two-tailed t-test with alpha = 0.05, it was determined that the change in Overall Mood is not statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval. This suggests that the Sucrose value does not have a significant influence on the Overall Mood value.

After treatment, a 6% decrease (0.00943 out of 5) from the mean baseline 3.14 out of 5 was observed. The relative standard deviation at baseline was 18.675%. The observed change was 0.188292 times the standard deviation.

A common rule of thumb considers a change greater than twice the baseline standard deviation on two separate pre-post experiments may be considered significant. This occurrence would have only a 5% likelihood of resulting from random fluctuation (a p-value < 0.05).

Sucrose data was primarily collected using MyNetDiary. MyNetDiary is an online and mobile food diary with calorie counter and online community. MyNetDiary provides instant and easy food entry, searching while you type. Enter foods 2-3 times faster than with any other food diary.

Overall Mood data was primarily collected using QuantiModo. QuantiModo allows you to easily track mood, symptoms, or any outcome you want to optimize in a fraction of a second. You can also import your data from over 30 other apps and devices. QuantiModo then analyzes your data to identify which hidden factors are most likely to be influencing your mood or symptoms.

As with any human experiment, it was impossible to control for all potentially confounding variables. Correlation does not necessarily imply causation. We can never know for sure if one factor is definitely the cause of an outcome. However, lack of correlation definitely implies the lack of a causal relationship. Hence, we can with great confidence rule out non-existent relationships. For instance, if we discover no relationship between mood and an antidepressant this information is just as or even more valuable than the discovery that there is a relationship.

We can also take advantage of several characteristics of time series data from many subjects to infer the likelihood of a causal relationship if we do find a correlational relationship. The criteria for causation are a group of minimal conditions necessary to provide adequate evidence of a causal relationship between an incidence and a possible consequence.

Criteria For Causal Inference

Strength (A.K.A. Effect Size)

A small association does not mean that there is not a causal effect, though the larger the association, the more likely that it is causal. There is a very weakly negative (R = -0.036) relationship between Sucrose Intake and Overall Mood.

Consistency (A.K.A. Reproducibility)

Consistent findings observed by different persons in different places with different samples strengthens the likelihood of an effect. Furthermore, in accordance with the law of large numbers (LLN), the predictive power and accuracy of these results will continually grow over time. 405 paired data points were used in this analysis. Assuming that the relationship is merely coincidental, as the participant independently modifies their Sucrose Intake values, the observed strength of the relationship will decline until it is below the threshold of significance. To it another way, in the case that we do find a spurious correlation, suggesting that banana intake improves mood for instance, one will likely increase their banana intake. Due to the fact that this correlation is spurious, it is unlikely that you will see a continued and persistent corresponding increase in mood. So over time, the spurious correlation will naturally dissipate.

Specificity

Causation is likely if a very specific population at a specific site and disease with no other likely explanation. The more specific an association between a factor and an effect is, the bigger the probability of a causal relationship.

Temporality

The effect has to occur after the cause (and if there is an expected delay between the cause and expected effect, then the effect must occur after that delay). The confidence in a causal relationship is bolstered by the fact that time-precedence was taken into account in all calculations.

Biological Gradient

Greater exposure should generally lead to greater incidence of the effect. However, in some cases, the mere presence of the factor can trigger the effect. In other cases, an inverse proportion is observed: greater exposure leads to lower incidence.

Plausibility

A plausible bio-chemical mechanism between cause and effect is critical. This is where human brains excel.

Based on our responses so far,

0 humans feel that there is a plausible mechanism of action for a relationship between Sucrose Intake and Overall Mood.

1 humans feel that any relationship observed between Sucrose Intake and Overall Mood is coincidental.

Coherence

Coherence between epidemiological and laboratory findings increases the likelihood of an effect. It will be very enlightening to aggregate this data with the data from other participants with similar genetic, diseasomic, environmentomic, and demographic profiles.

Experiment

All of human life can be considered a natural experiment. Occasionally, it is possible to appeal to experimental evidence.

Analogy

The effect of similar factors may be considered.

A plausible bio-chemical mechanism between cause and effect is critical. This is where human brains excel. Based on our responses so far, 0 humans feel that there is a plausible mechanism of action and 1 feel that any relationship observed between Sucrose Intake and Overall Mood is coincidental.