How often do you crave sweets? Plenty of reasons stand behind sugar cravings, such as habit-forming behaviors, the consumption of artificial sweeteners, stress, sleep deprivation, etc.
Individuals find comfort and experience pleasure while eating sweets, as sucrose is directly related to the production of dopamine. People whose glucose levels are relatively high shouldn’t feel disappointed, as there is a large selection of sweets containing no sugar.
Here is everything you need to know about craving and eating sweets.
What triggers sugar cravings?
The reasons for craving sugar can be both physiological and psychological. Such cravings can result from adopted behaviors just because the body and mind have been trained to crave sugar. It’s believed that sugar cravings originate from the consumption of processed foods containing this ingredient, which form such habits in people. These foods are thought to trigger dopamine release, thus resulting in more cravings.
Moreover, artificial sweeteners are known to induce sugar cravings as well. The sugary taste of these ingredients is much stronger than sugar, making the desire for sweets even more powerful. Instead of consuming artificial sweeteners, individuals should consider eating sweets with natural sweeteners like stevia.
Stress is another inducer of sugar cravings, as the body’s response to stress triggers the secretion of certain hormones linked to the desire for sweets. For instance, the stress hormone, known as cortisol, is definitely believed to be one of them. Also, when people stress out, the body releases the hormone ghrelin, whose job is to control appetite. Click here to discover eleven natural ways for lowering your cortisol levels.
Apart from stress, the amount of sleep individuals get also plays a role in sugar cravings. People experiencing a lack of sleep are more likely to crave not just sweet but also starchy foods in the hope of increasing their energy levels.
Additionally, women are known to experience period cravings because of endorphin release. When endorphins are released, humans are thought to have an increased desire for something sugary. These brain chemicals are in charge of mood regulation and making people feel better.
What are the benefits of eating sweets?
Even though most people try to avoid sweets to keep their weight optimal, these mouthwatering snacks provide many benefits. There is a myriad of online sweet shops, such as www.candycollections.co.uk, offering a vast assortment of products delivered to your door. These snacks are an immediate source of energy, which is helpful on days when you feel down in the dumps and lack enthusiasm. By consuming such treats, you will be provided with sufficient energy to perform the necessary daily tasks.
Furthermore, glucose is the main fuel source in the body, making sure energy levels are optimal most of the time. Since sugar consists of glucose and fructose, the body breaks these molecules down and ensures glucose is transferred to various cells, then converted into energy. Nevertheless, people with high glucose levels, like those struggling with diabetes, should consume sweets free of sugar, which has become a recent trend.
Another benefit of consuming sweets is the boost in mood experienced by individuals. When consuming something sweet, the body activates the dopamine hormone. Dopamine is known as the feel-good hormone, as it not only influences the mood but also makes people feel rewarded and motivated. Anyhow, you should always be cautious about the number of sweets you eat, as consuming too much of these treats means ingesting too many calories.
Besides providing consumers with instant energy, they help the body store energy for future use. The body doesn’t use the entire energy at once but divides it into small amounts. Consequently, this process of glycogenesis allows it to function properly without having to consume food for a given time.
Nevertheless, it’s essential for the consumption of sweets not to exceed the required glucose amount in order to prevent the stored glucose from turning into bad cholesterol. People already having problems with bad cholesterol shouldn’t consume regular sweets but those with no sugar.
In addition, more and more people are getting interested in consuming sweets with natural flavors, which are much more beneficial for one’s health instead of artificial sweeteners. Some of the most common natural flavorings include vanilla, cinnamon, coconut, nuts, etc. Such ingredients offer a unique taste, an appealing aroma, and numerous health benefits. Most natural flavors contain antioxidants, which are beneficial for improving the cognitive abilities of people.
Moreover, sweets are equipped with some nutrients, important for the diet of each individual. In fact, glucose is considered a valuable nutrient for the human body, fueling not just the body but also the mind. Some types of treats are specially designed to contain certain antioxidants, vitamins, and fibers.
How to manage sugar cravings?
While sugar cravings aren’t harmful to the health of humans, the response of the body to these cravings is the one that matters. People are constantly in search of ways to manage their desires for desserts. Sometimes, the simplest solution is to give in and enjoy such indulgences from time to time. If you crave sweets on a daily basis, the best alternative would be to consume desserts with low levels of sugar or no sugar at all.
Additionally, prior to taking a bite, you can check the label of the product to inspect the ingredients and nutritional content. Chances are, you will feel much better after making an informed choice. Also, there is no harm in taking a short walk to distract you from the desire for eating something sugary.
A nap is recommended as well, especially to people whose sleep deprivation leads to sugar cravings. Sometimes, a nap is all it takes for your energy levels to be revived. See this page to learn why skimping on sleep makes your brain crave sweets.
A final note
Sugar cravings are normal due to the pleasure and mood enhancement people experience when consuming sweets.
As long as you consume moderate amounts, there’s no harm to your health!
