Why Is It Hard to Resist Sweets After Meals? Study Reveals the Secret

 

Why Is It Hard to Resist Sweets After Meals? Study Reveals the Secret

A team of scientists has uncovered why it is difficult to resist sweets even after consuming a satisfying meal. The study, conducted by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, suggests that the brain’s satiety mechanism does not prevent the desire for sugary foods—in fact, it may enhance it.

### Brain Mechanisms Behind Sugar Cravings

Experiments on mice revealed that those which had eaten until full barely took another bite when offered more of their main meal. However, when presented with sugary foods, they consumed six times the calories.

Neurological scans showed that a brain region known as the **ventromedial hypothalamus** became highly active when sugar was ingested. This triggered **POMC neurons**, which then released endorphins—the neurotransmitters responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. According to scientists, this reaction makes sugar consumption more appealing, even when one is already full.

### The Psychological Impact of Sugar

The study also indicated that mice did not just eat more food; simply seeing or smelling sugary treats was enough to stimulate brain activity. This explains why people often experience sudden cravings for sweets after seeing desserts, even after a large meal.

### Human Experiments Confirm Findings

The experiments were not limited to mice. Researchers tested human participants by giving them sugary drinks while monitoring their brain activity using MRI scans. The results mirrored those observed in mice—**POMC neurons** responded in a similar way, causing participants to feel rewarded by sugar despite being satiated.

### Evolutionary Perspective

Dr. Henning Fenslow, the study’s lead author, explained that this behavior is deeply rooted in human evolution. Ancient humans sought to consume sugar whenever it was available due to its scarcity in nature and its ability to provide rapid energy.

### Potential Solutions to Sugar Cravings

Scientists found that this neurological activity could be controlled. When they inhibited the **endorphin-releasing signals** from POMC neurons in mice, sugar consumption significantly decreased.

Additionally, the weight-loss drug **Naltrexone-Bupropion** has been shown to suppress these signals in humans. However, further research is needed to develop more precise medications that can specifically target this brain region without affecting other functions.

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tLoss #HealthyEating**