Have you ever wondered why you crave salty and junk food items like chips, pizza, and nachos while drinking alcohol? Turns out, it happens not just with you but with many people across the world. A new study points to a finding that alcohol consumption may lead people to overconsume ultra-processed foods. Keep reading to know more about this in detail.
Why Do We Crave Nachos & Pizzas While Drinking Alcohol?
Enjoying a glass of whisky, wine, or even a beer often means eating a lot of junk food like chips, pizza, or nachos because we all know that alcohol and junk food go hand in hand at gatherings and parties. But according to a new study by the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre, there is a solid reason behind why we crave junk food while drinking alcohol.
According to the study, alcohol can trigger biological pathways that increase the levels of the hormone FGF21. This hormone is linked to protein appetite and a preference for savoury flavours. Once this hormone gets activated, we suddenly start craving salty and umami-flavoured foods.
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Keep Whole Foods Handy To Avoid Eating Junk Food
According to the research by the University of Sydney, the body traditionally associates this hormone with protein-rich foods like meat. But the modern food environment can influence these responses and make us crave foods that are not high in protein.
The study also pointed to another surprising fact. Artificially savoury foods like chips and pizza can act as ‘protein decoys’. This tricks the body’s protein hunger and makes us reach for foods that taste like protein but do not contain much of it. As a result, people tend to overconsume fats and carbohydrates.
Moreover, drinking alcohol can also increase protein appetite, which many people compensate for by eating fries, nachos, chips, and big slices of cheesy pizza. But there is a trick to avoid this. To avoid craving junk food with a glass of your drink, researchers recommend keeping whole-food snacks on the table. These include roasted chickpeas, smoked salmon, lean cold meats, prawns, and oysters.
What do you prefer to eat with your drink?
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Joel
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What do people eat with alcohol?
People commonly eat chips, pizza, nachos, fries, and other savoury snacks with alcohol.
What are some healthy food items to pair with a glass of wine?
You can pair your glass of wine with healthy food options like salmon, roasted chicken, dark chocolate, and even sushi.
Why do people crave junk food with alcohol?
Drinking Alcohol can trigger the hormone FGF21, which may increase cravings for savoury and junk foods.