The effect of carbohydrates on affect

Mood and carbohydrate cravings

“…Therefore, a dysphoric mood would be associated with a desire to consume carbohydrates because of their negative reinforcing effect of producing a decline in the dysphoric state, and the positive reinforcing effect of mood enhancement. However, it has repeatedly been pointed out (e.g., Christensen, 1997;Young, 1991) that the mood alteration produced by consumption of a carbohydrate-rich snack is probably not due to an increased synthesis of central serotonin because the rise in the plasma tryptophan ratio which results from the carbohydrate consumption may be too small to influence central serotonin significantly (Ashley, Liardon & Leathwood, 1985). Also, as little as 4% protein can block the rise in the plasma tryptophan ratio (Teff, Young & Blundell, 1989) and there are few foods or meals that contain less than 4% protein.…”

Intake of sweet foods and counts of cariogenic microorganisms in relation to body mass index and psychometric variables in women

“…For example, the presence of small amount of protein (about 4%) in a high-carbohydrate meal is sufficient to block the meal-induced increase of serotonin activity in the brain, and the foods craved by these subjects have thereby too high a protein content to have an impact on brain serotonergic function. 16,34 The foods craved are sweet foods with a high fat and carbohydrate content, such as chocolate, cakes and ice cream, rather than pure carbohydrate-rich foods. Drewnowski 35 has instead suggested that craving for foods high in sugar and fat is linked to the activity of the endogenous opioid 'rewarding' system and that such cravings have similarities to opiate drug addiction.…”

“…15 -17 In clinical and experimental studies it has been suggested that subjects with different affective disorders such as depression, seasonal affective disorders, pre-menstrual syndrome and also in the obese, consume these particular sweet foods for non-nutritional purposes. 15,16 In this context it is also noteworthy that a high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms has been reported in obese patients. 18 However, the underlying mechanisms mediating this mood-regulating effect lack scientific support.…”

Dependence module of the MINI plus adapted for sugar dependence: psychometric properties

“…Food, especially those high in sugar and fat, have been linked to binge eating (Drewnowski, Kurth, Holden-Wiltse, & Saari, 1992;Gendall, Joyce, Sullivan, & Bulik, 1998) as well as overeating among obese individuals (Drewnowski, Kurth, & Rahaim, 1991;Ifland et al, 2009) and depressed individuals (Jeffery et al, 2009). This overconsumption has recently been compared to drug addiction (Lenoir, Serre, Cantin, & Ahmed, 2007;Pelchat, 2002) and is responsible for the increase in the incidence of adverse health conditions (Christensen, 1997;Heaton, 1991;World Health Organization [WHO], 2003).…”