Each of us must have felt the craving for sweets at least once in our lifetime. Who does not like desserts? You may or not have a sweet tooth, but none of us would refuse a bowl of sweetness, isn’t that the case? By the way, talking about how we cannot resist eating sweets, did you know that you are not consuming sweets simply because you want to? Here are seven surprising reasons why humans love to consume sweets:
The Dopamine Rush
If you have some idea about biology or have read a couple of pf science digest articles. In that case, you must be aware that in our lifetime, the feeling of happiness is all a gameplay of the hormone named Dopamine released after hearing sweets’ names. Also called the hormone for excitement, dopamine gives us pleasure and excitement. Consuming sugar triggers a boost of dopamine release in our bodies. And the mind believes that it is happy. Also, dopamine secretion is addictive, and we keep returning to the source. This is the same reason you keep on craving chocolates and sweets.
Quick Energy Source
Sweets give us an instant energy kick. Wherever you feel low or too tired to get up, a shot of your favorite sweets may be super helpful. Sugar has glucose in higher concentrations that can enter our bloodstream much faster than proteins or fats. So, we get an instant boost of energy. The spike in blood sugar instantly lifts us. So, it is a general habit of humans to consume sweets whenever they are too tired or low on energy. The sweets name hardly matters, it can even be some candy that can immediately boost you. So, the immediate rise in insulin will keep you driving.
Not Enough Sleep
One of the core reasons for experiencing sweet cravings and pangs is the lack of sleep. You must be pretty surprised to hear that. But there is solid science behind it. Whenever the human body runs in a sleep deprivation stage, it starts to burn excess glycogen. Lack of sleep tangles up the body’s metabolism, and the body does not get enough time to get the glucose readily served to the brain. In this stage, the brain starts to use glycogen, which is the stored form of carbohydrate in the human body. And an automatic signal runs down your body asking for more carbs. So, it is at this time that you get stimulated to consume more sweets.
Sweets are Easily Digestible
Yes, you got that right. Your body is indeed lazy. The body loves to feed on simple carbohydrate sources that are easily digestible. Sweets are one of them with different Indian sweets names. Glucose is the simplest form of sugar. It is made of repetitive simple sugar units that the body enzymes can efficiently metabolize and gain energy. A sweet dose to your body is an immediate food for it. The best part is that your body won’t have to work much on it. This is why we love sweets, especially the ones that are made of white sugar. Simple sugar syrups (made from water and honey) or naturally occurring honey are the easiest to digest, and it is the favorite stuff of the body.
Serotonin Release
Serotonin is the happy hormone. It is a feel-good element for the body and mind. Serotonin is the same hormone that is released when you are in love or attracted to something. Eating sweets elicits a serotonin release in the body and generates a feeling precisely the same feeling as being happy. So, the mind seeks this pleasure even more and you are drawn towards sugar resultantly over and over. The body and mind force us to keep revisiting sugar and consume more sweets than ever before. Sugar is undoubtedly addictive. Every time you have just one bit of your favorite candy, the body releases an enormous amount of serotonin to make you happy. That is why you want to consume chocolates after a fight or have some fantastic ‘Kaju barfis’ and ‘Ladoos’ after a heartbreak. It saves you from the wrath of pain.
Calcium or Magnesium Deficiency
In our everyday life, we talk a lot about dietetics and nutrition. But sadly, it is a trend to focus on only the macronutrients, namely carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. But a host of micronutrients comprising essential minerals and trace elements are vital for our survival. For example, the deficiency of micronutrients like calcium or magnesium can be a fundamental reason why you keep returning to your favorite sweets. As a matter of fact, sugar blocks calcium and magnesium absorption. As a feedback loop, it stimulates sugar cravings, and you crave more sugar. If a natural deficiency accuses your sugar cravings of magnesium and calcium, not having sweets may lead to increased hunger, restlessness, and anxiety.
Thirst
Yes, you may need water, but all you do is have a bite of your heart-melting sweets. This is quite a common phenomenon. Whenever our body runs out of water, it tricks us into believing that we are hungry. So that gives us information to eat something good. Prolonged thirst and dehydration are prime reasons for wanting to consume sugar. Ensure you drink enough water to help your body meet its water needs.
The final words……
Sweets are our safe zone. From being our friends in the deadliest times to our companions in happy moments, the sweets name hardly makes a difference. It is the action of eating sweets that titillates our senses and awakens all the pleasurable sensations. However, you could run the risk of gaining unnecessary weight before you even realize it if your sugar binge continues unchecked and obesity and other lifestyle disorders may sneak up on you with the uncontrolled consumption of sweets.
