Candy, cookies, pies, ice cream, and other sweet treats are often labeled health villains. But when times get tough, most people find comfort in a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Is it indulgence, or could these delicious treats secretly benefit your mental health?
The word “hangry” is often used to describe the feeling of hunger that manifests in anger. In contrast, a “sugar rush” or “sugar high” defines the bursts of happiness and energy after consuming treats. These two examples prove a connection between mental health and diet. Blood sugar levels are predominantly accountable for this correlation.
“The carbohydrates you consume turn into blood sugar. The more carbohydrates you eat, the higher the levels of sugar will be released into your body as you digest and absorb your food,” said Healthline, a wellness and health journalist site.
Most sweet treats contain sugar and carbohydrates, which, when consumed, raise blood sugar levels, releasing hormones like dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter responsible for positive emotions that can counter feelings of stress, creating short-term happiness after eating.
“Dopamine is the body’s way of rewarding us for procuring the calories, or energy, that [is] necessary for survival,” according to a science and technological-based paper, PopularScience.
However, blood sugar fluctuations can also trigger the release of insulin, which works to balance excessive amounts of sugar and carbohydrates. If insulin drops blood sugar levels to lower levels than before, adrenaline and noradrenaline levels increase. Poor diet and overconsumption of sugary foods are linked to poor mental health due to this rise in adrenaline, which can cause increased stress, mood swings, lack of concentration, and potential depression.
“However, adrenaline influences more than just blood sugar levels. It also affects how we feel, and its release can manifest as anxiety, fear or aggression,” said PopularScience.
The variation in dopamine, insulin, and adrenaline levels can influence people to eat more sweets as the dopamine tricks their brains into feeling more content. However, adrenaline is released around five hours after eating, influencing negative emotions that our brains do not directly link to previous food consumption. While sweets are sources of carbohydrates that evoke happiness, many nutritionists advise eating junk food in moderation to keep physical and mental health well balanced.
“Desserts have nutritional value. Regardless of what your keto friends and family insist, carbohydrates are necessary nutrients that fuel your body and give it the energy it needs to function throughout the day. While there are healthier forms of carbs, it can provide proper fuel when done in moderation,” said CNET, a news source for consumer reviews.
