{"id":10000,"date":"2023-09-07T22:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/?p=10000"},"modified":"2023-08-25T09:49:03","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T09:49:03","slug":"why-do-i-crave-sugar-and-carbs-when-im-sick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/modernsciences.org\/staging\/4414\/why-do-i-crave-sugar-and-carbs-when-im-sick\/","title":{"rendered":"Why do I crave sugar and carbs when I\u2019m sick?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Adrian Swancar\/Unsplash<\/a><\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n\nHayley O’Neill<\/a>, Bond University<\/a><\/em><\/span>\n\n

Your nose is running, your head hurts and you feel like you\u2019re coming down with a cold. You\u2019re settling in on the couch for a sick day. Then you reach for the snacks. <\/p>\n\n

When you\u2019re sick, your appetite often decreases. So why, at other times, do you crave sugary treats and carbohydrate-loaded comfort foods?<\/p>\n\n

A food craving<\/a> goes beyond a mere desire to eat, it encompasses a complex mix<\/a> of emotional, behavioural, cognitive and physiological processes. Whether it\u2019s the need for a quick energy source or a temporary relief from discomfort, our bodies and minds work in tandem to drive our food preferences.<\/p>\n\n

Here we\u2019ll explore the science behind why our bodies crave sugar and carbs \u2013 especially when we\u2019re sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fuelling the immune system<\/h2>\n\n

When sickness strikes, our immune system springs into action, requiring additional energy to combat invaders. <\/p>\n\n

This heightened activity often leads to an increase in our metabolic rate<\/a>, energy demands and nutritional requirements. <\/p>\n\n

Sugary treats and carbs are quick sources of energy, satisfying this increased demand. <\/p>\n\n

\n \"Person\n
\n Sugary treats are a quick source of energy.<\/span>\n Cats coming\/Pexels<\/a><\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n\n

But while a high sugar diet during times of illness may help meet increased metabolic demands, it could also exacerbate the immune and inflammatory response, potentially impeding recovery. <\/p>\n\n

In the longer term, high-sugar diets promote chronic inflammation<\/a>, alter gut microbiota<\/a> composition, and are associated with chronic disease. For a well-functioning immune system<\/a>, aim for a balanced intake<\/a> of fruits, vegetables<\/a>, fibre, protein, and low-glycaemic carbohydrates.<\/p>\n\n

The stress response<\/h2>\n\n

Being sick is stressful for the body. Acute mild or intense stress, like we\u2019d see if we\u2019re sick, boosts the \u201cflight or fight<\/a>\u201d hormones adrenaline and cortisol. This mobilises stored energy to meet increased demands, but it can also curb appetite. <\/p>\n\n

Prolonged stress<\/a> can disrupt energy balance, and cause nutritional deficiencies and alterations in gut and brain functions. This can reduce a person\u2019s threshold for craving sugar and salt, increasing their preferences towards energy-dense foods.<\/p>\n\n

The stress hormone cortisol can also increase your preference<\/a> for high-calorie, comfort foods, which can temporarily alleviate stress<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brain\u2019s reward system<\/h2>\n\n

Comfort foods trigger your brain\u2019s reward system, releasing feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine<\/a> and serotonin. <\/p>\n\n

But \u201csugar rushes<\/a>\u201d are often short-lived and can lead to decreased alertness and heightened fatigue within an hour of consumption. <\/p>\n\n

The link between carbohydrates (which the body converts to sugar) and serotonin can be traced back to 1971 when researchers<\/a> found elevated tryptophan levels (serotonin\u2019s precursor) in rats\u2019 plasma and brains after a carbohydrate-rich diet. <\/p>\n\n

Subsequent studies in humans established connections between carbohydrates and mood, especially in relation to obesity, depression and seasonal affective disorder<\/a>. Therapies enhancing serotonin have since been shown to reduce carbohydrate intake<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

\n \"McDonald's\n
\n There\u2019s more to our cravings than just a desire to eat.<\/span>\n Unsplash\/Brett Jordan<\/a><\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n\n

Remarkably, around 90% of serotonin<\/a> production occurs in the gut. The vast microbial population in our gut exerts a potent influence on immunity, metabolism<\/a> and appetite<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

Recent mouse studies have even identified specific microbes linked to sugar binges after antibiotic treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Some people eat less when they\u2019re sick<\/h2>\n\n

Not everyone craves sugar and carbs when they are sick. Some people eat less for a few reasons:<\/p>\n\n