14 DAY TRIAL // British scientists have linked short walks to a decrease in food cravings for the first time. Until now, studies have shown that the desire for cigarettes could be restrained by this method, but no one has been able to link low-intensity exercises to food cravings. Participants in the study completed a 15-minute long walk, after refraining from eating chocolate for 3 days.
Seeing how test subjects were straight-up "chocoholics," an otherwise short interval seemed very long for them. After the walk, they were asked to complete a few tasks that would normally make them crave for chocolate, including intense mental challenge, which is also associated with sweets consumption in regular people, and even the opening of a chocolate bar.
Those who had been on a walk before these tasks exhibited considerably lower chocolate cravings than test subjects that were asked to rest for 15 minutes. "Neuroscientists have suggested common processes in the reward centres of the brain between drug and food addictions, and it may be that exercise effects brain chemicals that help to regulate mood and cravings. This could be good news for people who struggle to manage their cravings for sugary snacks and want to lose weight," said Professor Adrian Taylor, at the University of Exeter.
"While enjoying the occasional chocolate bar is fine, in time, regular eating may lead to stronger cravings during stress and when it is readily available. Recognizing what causes us to eat high energy snacks, even if we have plans to not do so, can be helpful," added Taylor.
"Short bouts of physical activity can help to regulate how energized and pleasant we feel, and with a sedentary lifestyle we may naturally turn to mood regulating behaviors such as eating chocolate. Accumulating 30 minutes of daily physical activity, with two 15 minute brisk walks, for example, not only provides general physical and mental health benefits but also may help to regulate our energy intake. This research furthers our understanding of the complex physical, psychological and emotional relationship we have with food," the scientists concluded.