by Amanda M
Scientist have recently discovered that there is a distinct difference between the parts of the brain that tell us we “need” to eat and “want” to eat. The hypothalamus has been known to be the control center for our ‘need’ to eat by monitoring blood sugar levels and metabolic activity. It has been recently been discovered that our dopamine reward center is what makes people ‘want’ to eat even after the ‘need’ is gone. It is the amount of calories that controls the pleasure centers in the brain. It is assumed that the obesiety epidemic is a result of people not being able to ignore the pleasurable response they get from the dopamine center of the brain. This theory was tested extensively in lab rats who’s receptors for sweetness where disrupted. These lab rats still preferred the high sugar water compared to the plain water because of the amount of calories in the water.
I found this article really interesting because I’m such a sucker for sugary foods—well, all foods really. We have touched on foods and calories only in passing during class so I thought this would add a little something extra and be interesting to college students who we all know don’t exactly eat the best foods. I think the article makes a lot of sense because I have heard plenty of people say things like “I’m not even hungry, I just really want ice cream.” So it makes sense that the want can persist even after the need has been fulfilled.
SOURCE: http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=why-calories-are-delicious
