Why do we crave sweets?

We all know that sugar is bad for us, and if you are on a diet, sugar is treated akin to poison. On the scientific front, sugar has been deemed the villain when it comes to diabetes. It leads to insulin insensitivity which is a gateway to diabetes. But there is a good side to sugar – being a high glyceamic index food it is very necessary for our body’s proper functioning. That being said, the amount you eat will definitely make all the difference. The formula is simple – the more active you are and the more particular you are about when you eat a high GI food decides how well the carbs are used. The bottom line remains, we need carbs to survive.

Why refined sugar is bad for us:

Sugar is a simple form of carbohydrate which is present naturally in a number of foods like fruits, vegetables, grains etc. In its natural form sugar is accompanied by a number of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and fibers which help the body absorb the sugar molecules properly.

But when the same sugar is refined, it is stripped off its vitamins, minerals and fibers which make it difficult for the body to digest and absorb. But, this is not where the problem ends, in order to digest this refined sugar your body has to forcefully donate some of its own vitamins, minerals and enzymes, depleting its own precious resources. (Read: Your quick guide to get essential vitamins from food)

Why we crave what we crave

Your body produces two very vital neurotransmitters — dopamine and serotonin, and both are linked to your moods.

Simply speaking when we get a thrill out of an activity or when we do an activity that makes you feel good e.g. having sex, eating chocolates, exercise, winning a race, taking drugs etc. your body releases dopamine.  On the other hand serotonin is a neurotransmitter which helps you elevate your mood and prevents you from feeling low.

Now, lower levels of serotonin can lead to low self esteem, increased cravings, digestive problems and emotional imbalances and makes you crave sugars. When your dopamine reserves are low, you will end up craving fatty foods. (Read: 10 tips to prevent hunger pangs and cravings at night)

The vicious cycle of cravings

When you are hungry your serotonin levels dip and your body craves something sweet and starchy. But as you give in to temptation and supply your body with a high sugar dose, your blood sugar levels rises dramatically. In order to control this, your pancreas secrete large amounts of insulin.  

Now, if you were regular at the gym or were taking part in a sport, these high GI foods are exactly what your body needs. But with the sedentary lifestyle most of us lead, excessive carbs are simply lying around, unused. Your body  is then left with no choice but to store it as fat.

Over a long period of time, all this unused refined sugar reduces insulin sensitivity which leads to pre-diabetes and obesity. Unfortunately this is a vicious cycle. Insulin is the carrier of sugars to your cells. When this carrier is faulty, your cells don’t get the nourishment they need – causing them to starve. This supposed starvation sends a signal to the brain, which interprets it as hunger. The brain them tells your tongue and stomach that you need sugar immediately as your body is starving. This causes a severe sugar craving – you give into it and the cycle starts all over again. (Read: Revealed – secrets highly energetic people are keeping from us!)

Why overweight or obese people are addicted to sugar

We know that serotonin levels dip when we are hungry, leading to a feeling of depression. You then satisfy that craving and eat sugary foods to satisfy that false hunger and your serotonin levels rise. But this is only a temporary fix, the high lasts for a short time and your sugar levels crash. The more sugar you eat that harder the crash.  This is why you – if you are overweight or obese — tend to eat high sugar foods and crave more of it throughout the day. Before you say, ‘I don’t have a sweet tooth but I am still fat’, know that this rule applies to fatty foods too. The way it works is the same.

This cycle is also one of the reasons that obese people tend to be lethargic and sleepy. High levels of serotonin promote sleep and relaxation, putting them into what is called a ‘food coma’.  This cycle continues forever until you break it by eating right, maintaining a proper sleeping pattern and a good exercise schedule into your life.

Also read: 

• Fad is bad: Say no to diets which promise speedy weight loss
• 6 diet tips to lose belly fat
• Tasty recipes for weight loss
• Eat and lose weight: 10 food items for weight loss!
• Why drinking is bad for your weight loss regime
• 10 superfoods for weight loss

 

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