Starbucks 'Trenta': How The New Size Compares To Your Stomach
Famous Death Row Last Meals
As someone with an insatiable sweet tooth, I was fascinated when I found out that hormones in our body affect how we perceive and crave sweetness. They do this according to our body's nutritional needs. Since I have a pretty bad sweet tooth, does this mean my body needs more of it? Not exactly. A recent article in The Economist explains that scientists have done the first step; they've isolated hormones that affect our palate's sensitivity to sugar.
The reason why this study is so important is because it may lead doctors and nutritionists to find a solution for ways of reducing the desire for sugar-heavy foods, and thus reduce calorie-intake. Yuzo Ninomiya, a neuroscientist at Kyushu University in Japan, researched the effects of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and metabolism. His results show that when leptin levels are low, we are more sensitive to sugar, which means something tastes sweeter than when our leptin levels are low. The level of the hormone increases over the day. This might explain why we tend to eat lots of sugar in the morning ('cause it tastes so good!).
So, it seems, if scientists can figure out how to raise leptin levels (or at least keep them steady) throughout the day, then all of us sweet-tooth types might have a chance at eating less cake!
In a world full of sweets, it's not easy to avoid them. What are some ways you control your sugar intake?
Jane Seymour's Modest And Modern Style
Broke Stars: 11 Celebrities Who Went Bankrupt
LOOK: Amazing Underwater Photos Of Dogs
Adele Five-Year Break? Singer Plans to Focus on Relationship, Write 'Happy Record'
Social Security Is Failing Even Faster Than We Thought
PHOTOS: How You Can Get The 'Miracle' Dress
Man Says Starbucks Discriminated Against Him Because He Has Half An Arm
Chris Brown, Grammys 2012: Embattled Singer Slams Critics
Janice Dickinson's Outrageous Style
Ford's clever Sports Illustrated Swimsuit ad features phantom model
3 Economic Misconceptions That Need to Die
Photos Of Dead Lacrosse Player's Injured Body Shown To Jury
Trace Adkins Reunites With College Crush, 30 Years Later
Van Gogh's Starry Night modded into beautiful interactive light and sound show (video)
PHOTOS: Model Falls At Dennis Basso Show
'Hooker Teacher' Forced To Resign, Now Can't Find Work
Lauren Scruggs Goes On Ski Vacation
WATCH AND LAUGH: Cops In 2-Hour Standoff With Empty Car
Woman's Dead Fiance Is Behind Her Disappearance: Cops
Stephen Wiltshire Draws Cities From Memory
PHOTOS: Remembering The People's Ballerina
We Meant There WERE Nukes In The Fire
7-31-2008 @1:01PM DD said... (This starts out TMI, but there's a point, really!)
I absolutely believe in the hormones/sugar connection.
I had to go on continuous birth control pills for health reasons, and haven't menstruated in...I think five years now (I'm in my mid-30s). And my sugar consumption, particularly chocolate, has *plummeted*.
I still like chocolate, and I still crave it from time to time, but it's nowhere near the regular "must have chocolate to live" urges I used to get when my hormones were rocketing all over the place.
I still have candy (chocolates!) people gave me as gifts two or three years ago, never eaten.
Reply
7-31-2008 @1:17PM lizandrsn said... This is a no-duh to women. Until you experience the maddening will-kill-for-chocolate rush, you can't fully appreciate what women of childbearing years go through. On a monthly basis.
Reply
8-02-2008 @11:33PM Kitt said... Gee. Stop the presses.
Reply