Does comfort food actually help

If it is sick or sad, people are interested in comfort food – but does it make a difference?

Everyone gets down, stressed or just in the mood, and a number of people want something to feel good. Comfort Food is a pleasure that lifts the Spirts. In North America, some top comfort foods comprise pot roasts, lasagna, chocolate, ice cream and cookies. It is an excuse to enjoy favorite taste directions, BUT does comfort food actually help?

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The answer is nuanced because Comfort Foods can offer both emotional relief and potential disadvantages depending on the individual and circumstances. It has been shown that Comfort Food temporarily improves the mood, especially for emotional eaters. Studies indicate that the tastiness of food plays an important role in mood strengthening, with more tasty foods offering greater comfort in moments of sadness or stress. Emotional eaters often experience satisfaction and improvement in mood after eating comfort food, while not emotional eaters may not achieve the same benefit, especially under stress. In addition, Comfort Foods can cause nostalgia and positive memories and act as social substitutes that remind the individual of sensible connections and moments of belonging.

From a physiological point of view, the consumption of sweet and fat comfortable foods can release dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that are associated with pleasure and mood height. This process can dampen the voltage reactions in the body by reducing the cortisol levels and activating the HPA axis (hypothalamus-hypophyses-nebrene). However, these effects are often short -term and can lead to unhealthy eating habits if they rely on excessive.

While Comfort Foods can provide immediate emotional relief, they can also contribute to negative health results if they are excessively consumed. Calorie calorie calorie feed, which is rich in sugar and fat, are associated with weight gain, metabolic risks and increased probability of depression over time. This creates a feedback loop in which individuals turn to unhealthy foods to combat stress, but worsen mental health.

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Interestingly, studies show that healthy alternatives such as fruit and vegetables can offer similar advantages for the mood without the health risks associated with traditional comfort foods. The inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids or dark chocolate in moderation can also improve the mood and at the same time support general health. Social aspects of food – such as sharing meals with relatives – can enjoy the emotional advantages of food without over.