Dr.Alok Purohit (PhD), Health Coach, Diabetes & Obesity educator

Sugar is an ingredient that can be found everywhere around us,and luring us into consuming via foods and drinks, but did you know that consuming sugar can actually make you eat more? Here’s how sugar affects our appetite and leads to overeating.

Activates Reward Centers:  Sugar stimulates the release of dopamine, a chemical in the brain that activates the reward centers and triggers feelings of pleasure. This can lead to cravings for more sugar, making it difficult to stop eating sugary foods. For infants, funny, as it may sound, sugar high can be so numbing that few healthcare workers use it before administering an injection.

Suppresses Leptin:  Leptin is a hormone that regulates our appetite and energy levels. Consuming high levels of sugar suppresses leptin, making it harder for our bodies to regulate hunger and leading to overeating. The brain can’t get the satiety signal and thus eating goes on without realization. Don’t be surprised at the sweet sodas pushed to sell junk food that can’t be even swallowed without a liquid.

Raises Insulin:  Sugar raises insulin levels, which, in turn promotes fat storage and makes it harder for our bodies to burn stored fat for energy. This can lead to increased hunger and cravings, causing us to eat more. Watch out those kids asking for more at the ice cream parlor, or while gobbling French fries or finishing up with the first chocolate.

Decreases Satiety: Foods high in sugar are often low in fiber and protein, which are important for feeling full and satisfied. This means that consuming sugary foods doesn’t adequately satisfy our hunger, making us more likely to eat more.

Triggers Cravings:  Sugar is addictive, and can trigger cravings for more sugary foods. Over time, consuming high levels of sugar can lead to a cycle of cravings and overeating, making it difficult to break the habit.

In conclusion, consuming high levels of sugar can lead to overeating and make it difficult to control our appetite. To maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, it’s important to limit our sugar intake and choose healthier options, such as whole fruits and vegetables.

Visit https://www.alokpurohit.com/  and/or write to us on alokpurohit.com@gmail.com for once in a lifetime, personalized health and life coaching which can help you learn more about your lifestyle conditions, reduce stress and anxiety through non medicinal, preventive/corrective lifestyle interventions.

References:

1. “The Sweet Truth About Sugar” by Dr. Sanjay Gupta – This article provides a comprehensive overview of the harmful effects of sugar on our health, including the link between sugar consumption and conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and tooth decay.
2. “Added Sugar in the Diet of Children and Adolescents in the United States” by the American Heart Association – This scientific statement highlights the negative impact of added sugars on children and adolescents, including increased calorie intake, weight gain, and risk for cardiovascular disease.
3. “Sugar: The Bitter Truth” by Robert H. Lustig, MD, MSL – This lecture, given by Dr. Robert Lustig, a pediatric endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco, explores the harmful effects of sugar on the body, including its role in the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic diseases.