In our daily lives, we often hear or see people eating sweets when they are in a bad mood. Without discussing whether their ingredients are truly effective, sweets are generally exquisitely made, have a delightful aroma, and are truly a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate. Therefore, regardless of the physiological effects, they have a positive psychological impact.
So, what are the physiological effects exactly?
The latest research indicates that sugar can inhibit the function of a substance in the brain called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which affects a person's mood. When someone is feeling down, such as patients with depression, the levels of this substance in the brain are already low. Consuming large amounts of sugar will only "add fuel to the fire" for their mood. Furthermore, refined sugars and refined carbohydrates deplete B vitamins that improve mood, thereby affecting mood regulation. A survey of over 3,400 middle-aged people published in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that individuals whose diets contain too many processed foods, such as those high in sugar, may have a 58% increased risk of developing depression.
So, does this mean the idea of eating sweets when feeling down is a fallacy? Not at all. After long-term research and experimentation, chocolate has been proven to be a food that can genuinely help regulate mood. Eating chocolate can improve one's mood because it causes the release of serotonin and endorphins in the brain, both of which are chemicals that make people feel happy. The flavanols in dark chocolate can effectively lower blood pressure. This is because flavanols stimulate the body to produce nitric oxide in the bloodstream, which helps with blood vessel dilation. Therefore, eating some chocolate, especially dark chocolate, when you're feeling down is completely effective and has a scientific basis.
So, where did the initial conclusion come from? In fact, our common sense isn't entirely wrong; it's just not accurately described. After all, many sweets contain chocolate as an ingredient.