According to researchers in Cincinnati, consuming sweet snacks may decrease the production of the stress-related hormone glucocorticoid, which has been linked to obesity and decreased immune response. Turns out, while over-indulgence certainly won't score you any points (these hormones are also linked to obesity), a little something sweet here and there might be just what you need to relax!
Several media outlets report on this pleasant surprise, which comes just in time for the sugar heavy season. The next time you're prepared to deny yourself a small serving of something sweet, consider the following:
When we experience psychological or physical stress, a part of the brain called the stress axis is activated. While the glucocortiocoids produced there may cause increased abdominal obesity and decreased immune function in large doses, in small amounts, they "help us to survive and recover from stress" according to Yvonne Ulrich-Lai, a postdoctoral fellow who was part of the research team.
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p>Believe it or not, the study actually found that sugar snacks, not artificially sweetened ones, are better 'self-medications' for the two most common types of stress (psychologial and physical)! So if you're injured or ill, have been out in the cold for an extended period or you're carrying a particularly heavy mental load, consider indulging in a little something sweet. Just remember, don't go overboard... in this case more than others, you
can get too much of a good thing!
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