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Is There a Correlation Between Eating Sweets and Happiness?

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If there is one thing that almost every culture has in common, it is a fondness for sweets. Sweets are one item that pulls people together, regardless of age, geography, or demographic. Science has even demonstrated that eating sweets might make you happier!

Although it is true that sweet snacks should be consumed in moderation, it turns out that there are also benefits to consuming a tasty dose of sugar for your mental health. Sweets allow you to connect with loved ones while also producing “feel good” chemicals that may quickly improve your mood.

Whilst sweets may make you happy, remember it’s important to moderate your sweet diet for the best experience.

Why Eating Sweets Make Us Happy

When you eat sweets, your brain releases a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone that triggers a feeling of reward and pleasure in our brains. It is a key element in controlling our emotional responses. The hormone also plays a huge part in the brain’s reward system, known as the nucleus accumbens. 

This is one of the reasons why we may crave sweet things when we are sad, as they can alleviate the mood in the appropriate amounts. Additionally, dopamine is one factor that helps your body deal with fear. It’s also one of the key hormones associated with happiness, and a shortage of dopamine could be a potential signifier of depression.

Chocolate, in particular, has been related to “feel good” endorphins, particularly darker chocolate.

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Sweets and Rewiring the Brain

The human brain changes constantly throughout a person’s lifespan. It will rewire and alter itself in response to our external environment, diet, experiences, memory, and so on. The consumption of sweets is not exempt from this process, as repeated stimulation of the reward center of the brain can change how it responds to external stimuli. 

But that the nucleus accumbens is not the only part of the brain that changes. Sections of your prefrontal cortex may also evolve as a response to regular stimulation from sweets. This area of the brain is an important aspect of decision-making, balancing gratification, and impulse control. 

It is important to pair sweets with healthy foods and exercise, because the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex must remain in balance. Excessive consumption is not only bad for our physical health, but can affect the way we make decisions in the future. We may end up choosing temporary and momentary pleasures as opposed to choices that benefit us in the long term. 

Eating Sweets the Right Way

When it comes to sweets, moderation is crucial, as is selecting alternatives that make you feel good. Whether it’s chocolate, fruit chews, or jellies, you should look for items that will improve your mood and general sense of well-being.

However, it’s a good idea to have some darker chocolates for the health advantages. Remember to pair sweets with a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. When sugar is ingested with other meals high in fibre, protein, or healthy fats, it is metabolised more slowly.

Wholesale Sweets UK are proud to stock a variety of dietary-specific sweets, suitable for vegans, vegetarians and more. Contact us today to bulk buy sweets or speak to our team.

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