Stress & Sugar Cravings

In America, the excessive consumption of sugar is extremely concerning, especially when it may be contributing to obesity and diabetes. It also does not help that our society is overstimulated and placed under stressful conditions more than ever recently, which can lead to sugar cravings. Studies have found that when someone consumes sugar, there is a release of endorphins and dopamine. These two chemicals are considered happy hormones that make you feel good, relaxed, and satisfied. So, it makes sense that someone would reach for a sweet snack when placed in a stressful situation.

Did you know that your brain absorbs about half your daily carbohydrate and glucose intake? Carbohydrates supply the body with the quickest source of energy. When you are under acute stress, the brain needs about 12 percent more energy, which usually results in fulfilling a sugar craving. Studies have shown that people who are stressed tend to perform poorly before eating. Whereas their performance returned to normal after eating food.

When someone is hungry, the entire network of brain regions activates. These regions are responsible for metabolism, feeding behavior, and digestive functions. Within this system, there is an upstream gatekeeper, that is called the nucleus arcuatus (ARH), located in the hypothalamus. When the brain lacks glucose, this gatekeeper blocks information from communicating with the rest of the body. That is why most people typically resort to eating carbohydrates as soon as the body signals that it needs energy, although it is well supplied.

If someone is hungry and does not eat anything your brain can use the glucose from the body that is intended for fat and muscle cell use, resulting in the production of more stress hormones. This is not only an uncomfortable feeling but it can also heighten the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or depression over time. Plus, the brain will not function optimally which can affect your concentration and performance negatively.

That is why it is very common for employees to snack during work hours, due to a highly stressful environment. When you are under a stressful situation, your brain indicates that it needs more glucose, which in turn prompts you to reach for a sugary snack, that will only increase your stress levels even more. This can be a vicious cycle and hard to break if you are not aware of the reasoning behind this process.

The best way to combat this bodily process and sugar cravings overall is to permanently leave a stressful environment or learn ways to cope with stress more easily. Once the source of the stress is addressed in a healthy way, sugar cravings and poor eating habits can ultimately resolve themselves. Plus, there is a supplement named Sugar Guard available on my website that can help curb your sugar cravings and balance blood sugar levels.