Why You Crave Carbs, Sugar
and Chocolate When You're Depressed
Do you
find that you crave carbs, sugar and chocolate when you are depressed? It's not unusual to find these foods
irresistible when you're feeling down. But why does that happen? This article
explains the science behind mood-related carb cravings and the connection
between food and mood.
The Serotonin Theory
One
theory about carb cravings is that people may be eating them in order to
trigger the production of serotonin , a neurotransmitter that plays a role
in mood regulation.
In other
words, eating sugary and carbohydrate-rich foods may be a way of
self-medicating depression.
Certain
studies seem to back up this idea. It has been found that a meal high in carbs
tends to raise serotonin, but a meal high in protein or fat may actually lower
it. Also, this effect might be stronger in foods with a high glycaemic index, such as confectionary, which
cause a higher peak in blood sugar levels.
The Role of Tryptophan
Tryptophan
is a precursor of serotonin (meaning, your body needs it to produce serotonin).
It's been proposed that foods high in tryptophan can promote a positive mood,
while not having enough tryptophan can depress your mood. Tryptophan is often
found in protein-rich foods, such as seafood, eggs and poultry.
Chocolate Cravings
It's not
just sugar that we crave. There's chocolate. Certain alkaloids have been
isolated in chocolate that may raise brain serotonin levels.
Scientists
now speculate that "chocoholism" may actually have a real biological
basis with a serotonin deficiency being one factor.
Not only
that, chocolate also contains 'drug-like' constituents including
anandamines, caffeine, and phenylethylamine, which exert a powerful influence
on mood. So, when people claim to be addicted to chocolate, it could well
be that the one-two punch of chocolate plus sugar is satisfying their need for
more serotonin.
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