Baghdad: A medical report published by Verywell Health revealed the underlying reasons for the sudden craving many people experience for sweets or chocolate immediately after dinner. The report emphasized that this phenomenon is not always linked to hunger, but rather stems from a complex interplay of psychological, physiological, and behavioral factors.
According to Iraqi News Agency, the report stated that strict abstinence and severe sugar deprivation can trigger a counterproductive response, causing the brain to crave forbidden foods as a learned response. It also explained that visual stimuli, such as food advertisements and social media images, are sufficient to activate the neural circuits responsible for pleasure (the reward system), increase saliva production, and stimulate digestion.
The report pointed to several key factors that trigger this craving:
Activation of the Reward System: The brain releases a temporary response of satisfaction and pleasure when consuming sugar, which leads some to turn to it when stressed or experiencing mood swings. However, excessive sugar consumption causes lasting changes in these neural circuits.
Blood sugar fluctuations: Consuming meals high in carbohydrates and lacking in fiber, protein, and healthy fats causes a rapid drop in blood sugar levels after a spike, triggering immediate cravings for more sugar.
The phenomenon of “selective sensory satiety”: The sense of taste becomes less responsive to salty and fatty foods after a main meal, so the brain automatically seeks a contrasting taste to break the pattern, often sweet.
Evening cravings: Cravings for snacks and sweets gradually increase towards the end of the day due to mental fatigue and the effects of the body’s circadian rhythm.
The report recommended adopting a balanced diet by including fiber and protein in dinner to mitigate blood sugar drops. It noted that consuming limited amounts of sweets at intervals is not harmful, while fresh fruit remains the ideal and healthy alternative to satisfy these daily cravings.