All articles tagged with #sugar cravings
The article explores the complex relationship between cycling, sugar cravings, and addiction, highlighting how evolution, modern diets, and exercise influence our sugar consumption and how science is seeking ways to better understand and manage these cravings, especially for athletes who rely on sugar for energy.
Consuming too much sugar can lead to various health issues, including weight gain, fatigue, and skin problems. Signs of excess intake include increased thirst, gas, puffiness, irritability, difficulty focusing, and intense sugar cravings. To reduce sugar consumption, it's recommended to gradually cut back, incorporate balanced meals with protein and fiber, and be mindful of hidden sugars in processed foods. Aiming for less than three teaspoons of added sugar daily can help improve overall health and break the cycle of sugar addiction.
A six-month study found that altering sugar intake does not change people's preference for sweetness, nor does it impact energy consumption or body weight, challenging the belief that eating sugar increases cravings or consumption.
After quitting alcohol, David Wilson struggled with sugar addiction, leading to weight gain and health issues. He adopted a strict diet focusing on blood sugar stabilization, which helped him lose weight and regain confidence. The article highlights the common tendency to swap one addiction for another and emphasizes the importance of balanced eating and self-awareness in recovery.
Swimwear model Karina Irby shared her eight-week fitness progress on Instagram, revealing grapes as her "secret weapon" against sugar cravings. She reported weight loss, muscle gain, and increased vegetable intake, while maintaining a consistent exercise routine and hitting 10k steps most days. Her candid update, which included challenges like sleep issues, received praise for its authenticity and inspiration.
To effectively reduce sugar cravings, focus on getting enough sleep, eating balanced meals with a mix of macronutrients, avoiding long gaps between meals, and minimizing distractions while eating. These strategies help regulate blood sugar levels and appetite, reducing the urge for sugary foods.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open found that loneliness can lead to intense cravings for sugary foods, linking brain chemistry from social isolation to poor mental health, weight gain, cognitive decline, and chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes and obesity. The research revealed that socially isolated individuals had a higher percentage of body fat and displayed more poor eating behaviors, such as food addiction and uncontrolled eating. MRI scans showed increased brain activity in regions associated with sugar cravings and decreased activity in regions related to self-control. The study suggests that social bonds play a key role in influencing unhealthy eating habits, especially for calorie-dense foods and sweets. The article also provides tips for overcoming social anxiety and self-isolation.
Neuroscientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center have identified separate gut-brain circuits responsible for driving cravings for fats and sugars, with a study on mice revealing that the combination of these nutrients supercharges the desire to eat. The research sheds light on the neural pathways that underlie our attraction to unhealthy, calorie-dense foods and highlights the potential for developing treatments for obesity by targeting these specific brain circuits. While the study was conducted on mice, the findings offer insights into the subconscious factors influencing food preferences and eating behaviors in humans, with implications for future research and potential therapeutic interventions.
A study published in Cell Metabolism by researchers from the Monell Chemical Senses Center has identified separate gut-brain pathways for fat and sugar cravings, as well as a combined pathway that triggers heightened dopamine release in the brain's reward circuits. The study suggests that the combination of fats and sugars overly triggers the desire to eat more than usual, shedding light on why dieting can be challenging. The research provides insights into the control of "motivated" eating behavior and offers hope for future development of anti-obesity strategies and treatments by targeting and regulating gut-brain reward circuits.
Nutrition experts recommend incorporating cinnamon, fenugreek seeds, ginger, cloves, and cardamom into your diet to help curb sugar cravings, as these spices have been known to stabilize blood sugar levels, stimulate insulin release, regulate blood sugar, improve insulin function, and reduce sugar cravings. Incorporating these spices along with whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables can contribute to a wholesome, non-sugary meal.
Sweet cravings can occur even when we're full due to sensory specific satiety and learned behaviors. Incorporating variety into meals and breaking up associations with sweets can help curb cravings. Tips to curb sugar cravings include enjoying sweets in moderation, avoiding sugar substitutes, getting enough sleep, and consulting a doctor about medications. The reasons behind sweet cravings remain a scientific mystery, but there is no clear association between obesity and sweet food preference. It's important to limit added sugar intake and be mindful of hidden sugars in processed foods. Public health efforts and open discussions are needed to address sugary food intake and obesity.
Celebrity nutritionist Pooja Makhija revealed in an Instagram video that sugar cravings can be managed with some easy diet tweaks. She explained that sugar cravings can happen because of lack of salt, and the more sugar we eat, the more sugar we crave. Salt is crucial for the body but less salt causes a condition known as 'internal starvation', which makes you crave more sugar. Therefore, the nutritionist suggests that the next time you guys are craving too much sugar, try some salt instead.