The Hidden Risks of Snacking
The diet in the United States and other developed countries has shifted dramatically over the past few decades. This shift can be attributed mainly to the widespread prevalence and availability of processed foods. A food can be labeled as “processed” if it has been altered in any way during its preparation. Although some foods require processing in order for them to be safe for human consumption, many processed foods also contain high amounts of calories, carbohydrates, and sugars. If these foods are consumed regularly over the course of several years, they can increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, cancer, and other health complications.
As these foods have gained popularity, the prevalence of obesity has also risen. Many people know from personal experience how good processed foods can taste, and this is because they activate the pleasure center of the brain, the nucleus accumbens. A 2020 study done by the University of Virginia uncovered a link between this pleasure center and the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the biological clock of the brain. The researchers found that these highly prevalent pleasure-causing foods disrupt normal feeding schedules, which can ultimately lead to overconsumption.
Researchers performed this study on different groups of mice. The first group was fed a normal, or “wild”, diet of calories and fats. This group continued to display normal feeding schedules while maintaining a healthy weight. Another group was given a high-calorie diet loaded with fats and sugars, mimicking a diet consisting of processed foods. Consequently, this group did not follow normal sleeping and eating schedules. Instead, mice in this group showed signs of snacking at all hours of the day, eventually becoming obese. The final group of mice were modified so that their dopamine signaling was blocked. Dopamine is a chemical that activates the nucleus accumbens, producing good feelings. Surprisingly, when presented with the high-calorie diet, these mice maintained regular feeding schedules and did not become obese. This observation suggests a relationship between the pleasure center of the brain and the maintenance of regular eating schedules in accordance with the mices’ internal biological clocks.
As these foods have gained popularity, the prevalence of obesity has also risen. Many people know from personal experience how good processed foods can taste, and this is because they activate the pleasure center of the brain, the nucleus accumbens. A 2020 study done by the University of Virginia uncovered a link between this pleasure center and the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the biological clock of the brain. The researchers found that these highly prevalent pleasure-causing foods disrupt normal feeding schedules, which can ultimately lead to overconsumption.
Researchers performed this study on different groups of mice. The first group was fed a normal, or “wild”, diet of calories and fats. This group continued to display normal feeding schedules while maintaining a healthy weight. Another group was given a high-calorie diet loaded with fats and sugars, mimicking a diet consisting of processed foods. Consequently, this group did not follow normal sleeping and eating schedules. Instead, mice in this group showed signs of snacking at all hours of the day, eventually becoming obese. The final group of mice were modified so that their dopamine signaling was blocked. Dopamine is a chemical that activates the nucleus accumbens, producing good feelings. Surprisingly, when presented with the high-calorie diet, these mice maintained regular feeding schedules and did not become obese. This observation suggests a relationship between the pleasure center of the brain and the maintenance of regular eating schedules in accordance with the mices’ internal biological clocks.
Midnight cravings are real and can be tempting, but research suggests that excess calories from snacking during the body’s rest periods are more readily stored as fat.
Image Source: Mae Mu
Another interesting finding of the study was that for mice that ate high-calorie diets during their rest periods (periods in between meals), the excess calories would be more readily stored as fat. In other words, a mouse could eat the same number of calories during a meal period and a rest period, but more of these calories would be converted to fat if eaten during a rest period. This indicates that the food eaten and the time of eating can contribute to the development of obesity and other obesity-related diseases.
A possible explanation for the urge to overconsume high-fat and high-sugar diets can be traced back to ancient human ancestors. When the human diet relied heavily on hunting wild animals, it was uncertain when the next meal would be. So, it was in the best interests of ancient humans to consume as much as possible to make sure they had the energy to survive. Today, however, food is more easily obtained, which allows snacking whenever desired. The availability of food can be treated as a double-edged sword: even though a shortage of food may not be a concern, consuming too much can put oneself at risk for health problems in the future. This research demonstrates the importance of being mindful of what foods are being eaten and when. By limiting the amount of processed foods ingested and keeping up regular eating schedules, one can strive for the best chance at leading a healthy life.
A possible explanation for the urge to overconsume high-fat and high-sugar diets can be traced back to ancient human ancestors. When the human diet relied heavily on hunting wild animals, it was uncertain when the next meal would be. So, it was in the best interests of ancient humans to consume as much as possible to make sure they had the energy to survive. Today, however, food is more easily obtained, which allows snacking whenever desired. The availability of food can be treated as a double-edged sword: even though a shortage of food may not be a concern, consuming too much can put oneself at risk for health problems in the future. This research demonstrates the importance of being mindful of what foods are being eaten and when. By limiting the amount of processed foods ingested and keeping up regular eating schedules, one can strive for the best chance at leading a healthy life.
Featured Image Source: JESHOOTS.COM
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