SWEET SPOT
Study reveals where your post-dinner sweet tooth really comes from – plus 4 tips to combat it for good
From flavoured-gum to cherry juice and how many seconds it takes to rid your brain of cravings - how to outsmart your sweet tooth
YOU might be full to bursting with food but, somehow, there's always room for dessert.
Your cravings for a sugar don't mean you're greedy - in fact, wanting a sweet treat after a meal might be hard wired into our brains, scientists say.
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Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research in Cologne, Germany, discovered a previously unknown brain circuit that seems to drive our "dessert stomach".
The same brain cells that tell us to stop eating when we’re full also fuel our post-dinner sweet tooth, they found.
Called POMC neurons, they suppress our appetite by releasing chemicals signalling to us that we're full.
But the study - published to the journal - shows that these cells have a previously unknown second role, triggering the desire to snack on sugar through a separate pathway.
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The neurons release beta-endorphins – natural opioids (feel-good chemicals in the brain) that can drive sugar consumption.
Researchers studied this neural pathway in mice.
They observed that POMC neurones became active as soon the mice were given access to sugar, but not for normal or fatty food.
The release of beta-endorphins triggered a feeling of reward in the rodents, causing them to munch on sugar even when they were full.
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When researchers blocked the action of POMC neurons using genetic tools, mice showed less interest in sugary foods after meals.
Dr Henning Fenselau, who lead the study, said: "From an evolutionary perspective, this makes sense: sugar is rare in nature, but provides quick energy.
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"The brain is programmed to control the intake of sugar whenever it is available."
Researchers were able to confirm that a similar neural pathway also exists in humans.
They carried out brain scans on 30 volunteers who were given a sugar solution through a tube, observing how their brains responded to consuming sugar solutions versus water.
They found that the same region of the brain reacted to the sugar in humans.
Scientists said their findings might pave the way for treating over-eating and obesity.
Dr Fenselau explained:"There are already drugs that block opiate receptors in the brain, but the weight loss is less than with appetite-suppressant injections.
"We believe that a combination with them or with other therapies could be very useful. However, we need to investigate this further."
How to outsmart your brain's sugar cravings
Some simple hacks could help to outsmart that pesky sweet tooth so you swerve a few of those pastries, chocolates, cakes and desserts coming your way.
1. Distract yourself
If you can’t stop thinking about a particular sugary snack then just 60 to 90 seconds of a distraction can make a difference.
Dr Daniel Glazer, Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of US Therapy Rooms suggests going for a brief walk, calling a pal or listening to music.
2. Pop a piece of gum
Chewing on some cinnamon or mint flavoured gum might help kick your sugar cravings.
The distinct flavour should provide you with a sensory distraction.
3. Drink tart cherry juice
“Although tart cherry juice isn't overwhelmingly sweet, its unique flavour profile can satisfy the sweet-sensing receptors on the tongue, providing a sense of having something sweet in a healthier way," Dr Glazer says.
4. Schedule your treats
You risk falling off the wagon if you go cold turkey on dessert,
Instead, schedule your chocolate or cookie for special moments and weekends to keep you motivated.
For seven more tips on getting the better of your sweet tooth, read on here.
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