The nutritionist gives advice to get around this desire
Candies, chocolates, chewing gum, cakes. It’s hard to find someone who can resist these delicacies. After all, they’re incredibly delicious. In general, the desire to eat sweets is completely normal, however, when in excess, it can indicate some problems and even cause damage to health.
“The excessive desire to eat sweets can be related to various cultural factors, organic diseases or even emotional problems. People who have been used to eating too many sweets since childhood, due to their food culture, may not realize that they exceed It can indicate diabetes.The individual eats and stays hungry because they don’t have the insulin to get the glucose into the cells, which generates more cravings for sweets and more hunger.People with binge eating, anxiety and depression can also have an excessive desire for sweets, because it generates a certain satiety and satisfaction,” he explains Neuton Magalhaes, neurologist and professor of the course of Medicine at the University Center of João Pessoa (Unipê).
SWEET EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN
According to the expert, sweets activate the pleasure, satisfaction and reward area of the brain, promoting a sense of well-being and fighting stress. Therefore, these foods can be used as “safety valves” to deal with situations of depressed mood or anxiety.
Chocolate, for example, contributes to the release of dopamine and serotonin, neurotransmitters which are called “happiness hormones”.
Considering that sweets stimulate the brain’s reward circuit, the tendency is that our body craves these foods more and more, and this addiction can generate some physical symptoms, such as headaches and fatigue.
“We are often upset about something and think we are getting pleasure from eating or drinking. Sugar, like alcoholic beverages, activates regions of the brain of great pleasure and can be addictive,” adds the Liliana Segerclinical psychologist with a PhD in Psychology from the USP Institute of Psychology.
HEALTH PROBLEMS
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, tooth decay, cardiovascular disease, circulatory problems and fat in the liver are among the main damages that sugar can cause to the body’s functioning.
In addition to all these physical harms, excessive consumption of sweets is also associated with mental and brain health problems.
“Too much sweet can lead to spikes and dips in blood sugar and systemic inflammation that affects your mood. The result can be a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, irritability and the release of stress hormones,” she explains. . Patricia Alves Soares Laranutritionist specialist in oxydology and cellular biochemistry
Psychologist Liliana Seger adds that “eating these foods improves your mood, but if you continue to do it more and more you can develop the opposite and cause depression and irritability, for example.”
3 TIPS TO DRINK THE WANT TO EAT SWEETS
Patricia lists some tactics for dealing with excessive cravings for sweets. It is important to remember that, according to the World Health Organization, the daily consumption of sugar cannot exceed more than 10% of the daily calories.
- Have a solid breakfast: To stay balanced throughout the day, avoid consuming sugar in the morning. One tip is to prioritize protein-rich foods at this time of day, as they’ve been shown to curb cravings.
- Plan your meals in advance: This prevents blood sugar drops.
- Drink a lot of water: When we are dehydrated, we feel hungrier. Therefore, you must have an adequate water supply. To make your water tasty, you can add lemon or other fruits.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
