Why Do We Eat Junk Food When Stressed
- 11 years ago
Being stressed out can lead to unhealthy eating patterns. Scientists have found that when put in stressful situations, mice tend to eat junk food that is high in sugar or fat.
Being stressed out can lead to unhealthy eating patterns.
Scientists have found that when put in stressful situations; rats tend to eat junk food that is high in sugar or fat.
The advantage given by having more energy from high sugar, high calorie, and fatty food means that predators can be fended off more readily, or there will be enough energy in the body to flee.
As stressful conditions increase, cortisol is produced and releases glucose stored in the muscles and fat, which allows vital body processes to function. The stressed out animals tend to look for foods with a high caloric value.
Kevin Laugero, a Research Nutritionist at the Western Human Nutrition Research Center, and Professor of Nutrition at the University of California in Davis said: “It is possible that some of it is just the reward-based association, but I think with food there is definitely a metabolic basis. Having a bowl of ice cream when we're stressed can actually be adaptive, but it's the repeated nature over time that can be absolutely maladaptive.”
Studies on humans also show that when put in a stressful situation and then given a choice of food, people are more likely to choose unhealthy food to eat.
Being stressed out can lead to unhealthy eating patterns.
Scientists have found that when put in stressful situations; rats tend to eat junk food that is high in sugar or fat.
The advantage given by having more energy from high sugar, high calorie, and fatty food means that predators can be fended off more readily, or there will be enough energy in the body to flee.
As stressful conditions increase, cortisol is produced and releases glucose stored in the muscles and fat, which allows vital body processes to function. The stressed out animals tend to look for foods with a high caloric value.
Kevin Laugero, a Research Nutritionist at the Western Human Nutrition Research Center, and Professor of Nutrition at the University of California in Davis said: “It is possible that some of it is just the reward-based association, but I think with food there is definitely a metabolic basis. Having a bowl of ice cream when we're stressed can actually be adaptive, but it's the repeated nature over time that can be absolutely maladaptive.”
Studies on humans also show that when put in a stressful situation and then given a choice of food, people are more likely to choose unhealthy food to eat.