Most people know that too much sugar intake is harmful to our health. However, some can’t help but dive into their sweet cravings. Some children and adults alike love to have their daily dose of sweet treats, whether it’s a tasty dessert or a drink with a little too much sugar in it. Let’s take a look at the reasons they can’t help but consume sugary food and drinks on a regular basis.
Culprits Behind Having a Sweet Tooth
If you’re one of those who love sweets too much, you might also get curious as to how your taste buds crave sweets so much. It turns out that there are a lot of reasons.
- A hormone called FGF21 – A study reveals that a liver-secreted hormone called FGF21 causes some people to develop a sweet tooth. Those who have variants of this hormone are more likely to crave sweets constantly.
- Genetics – Using the genome-wide association analysis, researchers found out that genetics can also lead to people having a sweet tooth. Individuals with particular ancestries perceive different levels of sweetness for food and drinks. For example, the study found out that those who have African descent love sweets more compared to those with Asian or European descents.
- Nutrient deficiency – If you don’t intake enough fats and protein in your diet, your body will look for more nutrients to get enough energy. As a result, you will long for sugar because it will provide you quick energy.
- Bad habits – If you’re constantly having lesser sleep than you need, you’ll have higher levels of ghrelin and lower levels of leptin hormones. This will lead to increased appetite and sugar cravings.
Controlling Sweet Cravings
Having a sweet tooth isn’t a bad thing. You can still visit your favorite pastry shop in Sterling Heights or enjoy the home-made dessert that you left in the fridge. However, you just need to ensure that you control your sugar cravings as much as you can. Here are a few tips to help you.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet – Eating healthy will not only suppress your cravings for sweets. It will also help you maintain a healthy body.
- Avoid skipping meals – Skipping meals will only lead to increased appetite when you finally get to eat your next meal. This will also cause you to crave even more sugary stuff.
- Skip artificial sweeteners – Consuming artificial sweeteners will help your low-calorie diet. However, it won’t satisfy your sugar cravings. As a result, you’ll just crave for more, so better stick to real sugar.
- Add more protein in your diet – Eating more protein will help you have a stable blood sugar level. It will also slow down sugar absorption and reduce your cravings.
If you believe you have sweet tooth, try following these tips to keep your health in check. It’s also a great idea to have a specialist check your sugar levels and your overall health. They can help you find better solutions to avoid developing diseases caused by too much sugar consumption. Take care of yourself more by watching what you eat. You can still satisfy your cravings from time to time; just practice everything in moderation. Yes, including your sugar cravings.