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Why does it sometimes feel guiltless to reach for sweets and other high-calorie foods? New research from Yale and the University of Southern California suggests that when our glucose (blood sugar) levels drop, certain areas of the brain free us to yield to temptation. This new finding comes from a study with only 14 participants, some of normal weight and some of whom were obese. When investigators intravenously lowered the participants' glucose levels and then showed them pictures of food and other images, functional MRI scans (fMRI) revealed changes in specific zones of the brain that encourage eating. Brain responses - in areas called the insula and striatum, both associated with reward - ignited a desire to eat.And another brain area, the prefrontal cortex, appeared to lose its ability to interfere with the increasingly urgent signals to eat. This sequence of events occurred in normal weight study participants only when their glucose levels were lowered, but among the obese participants, the brain's brake on "reward" (meaning more food) didn't seem to work even when glucose levels were normal. The study was published online Sept. 19 by the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
My take? These are interesting findings that may help explain why so many people have such a hard time controlling cravings and losing weight. If confirmed, the results could lead to the development of better strategies to lose weight. In the meantime, I suggest trying to satisfy cravings with low glycemic index fruits (berries, cherries, apples, pears) that are healthier than other sources of sugar and give you the added benefit of fiber. Working with a hypnotherapist in an effort to reduce cravings might also be helpful.
Posted in: Brain,Magnetic resonance imaging
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