The REAL reason you crave dessert—even when you’re full!

Ever finish a big, delicious meal, feeling completely stuffed—only to find yourself reaching for something sweet?

If so, you’re not alone. But apparently, there’s a scientific reason behind this phenomenon.

Researchers call it the “dessert stomach”—and it turns out, it’s controlled by your brain.

Let’s take a closer look…

Your brain’s sneaky sweet tooth

Your “dessert stomach” is driven by POMC neurons—a group of brain cells that signal fullness.

But here’s the twist: they’re also responsible for triggering your sweet tooth!

In an animal model, researchers analyzed mice’s reaction to sugar. They discovered that completely full mice still ate dessert. And brain scans helped reveal why…

As soon as the mice tasted sugar, their POMC neurons fired up. This triggered the release of beta-endorphin (ß-endorphin), an opioid that’s produced naturally by the body.

This chemical creates a feel-good (“reward”) response that makes you crave more sugar—even when you’re full.

And it gets even more fascinating…

This opioid response was only activated by sugar—not by fats or other nutrients. This suggests that our brains are WIRED to crave sweets, even though we don’t nutritionally need them!

Curb your automatic sugar cravings

Now, I know what you’re thinking: those results came from an animal study.

But here’s the kicker—researchers found the same effect in human brains.

Participants were given a sugar solution through a tube. Then, imaging scans revealed increased activity in the same brain region where these ß-endorphin receptors are located.

Once again, researchers observed how sugar hijacks your brain—creating a vicious cycle of cravings and overconsumption. No wonder the nation is battling a diabesity epidemic!

The good news is, now that we know how the brain responds to sugar, scientists can begin exploring ways to naturally curb these automatic cravings.

In the meantime, knowledge is power. Remind yourself that your “dessert stomach” is a brain reaction—not real hunger. Doing this can help you to make more conscious choices.

If you struggle with post-meal sugar cravings, try breaking the cycle with a simple habit shift. A hot cup of tea or a quick walk can help reset your brain’s expectations—and keep you from reaching into the cookie jar.

For additional tips, I explain how you can cut your deadly sugar addiction in just THREE days in the August 2022 issue of my monthly newsletter, Logical Health Alternatives. To access this exclusive (and life-changing) content, click here.

Until next time,

Dr. Fred

Source:

“Dessert stomach emerges in the brain.” ScienceDaily,02/13/2025. (sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250213143309.htm)