Women often crave sweets during their period, due to changes in insulin.
Research published in the journal Nature Metabolism found differences in insulin sensitivity across different stages of the menstrual cycle. According to experts, increased insulin sensitivity during menstruation increases appetite.
Martin Heni, professor of endocrinology at Ulm University Hospital and senior author of the study, explained that the brain plays an important role in metabolism. It can influence eating behavior, especially during the menstrual cycle.
"This is not bad. It is a normal physiological problem in women. Many people have told me about this condition," he said.
For the study, researchers at the University of Tuebingen in Germany divided volunteers into two groups to analyze their brain activity. The first group received a nasal spray of insulin to mimic the hormone’s journey to the brain. The other group received a placebo. The volunteers were all in the two phases of their menstrual cycle: follicular and luteal.
Some women crave sweets during their menstrual cycle. Photo: Times Of India
The follicular phase occurs when the egg prepares to be released, usually beginning on the first day of your period. The luteal phase begins after the egg has been released and has traveled to the uterus.
Researchers found that the brain is more sensitive to insulin during the follicular phase and less responsive to the hormone during the luteal phase.
Some previous research has also shown that when insulin reaches the brain, it can make women feel less hungry and snack more. Meanwhile, insulin resistance increases cravings.
The new discovery helps explain cravings for unhealthy foods in the second half of the menstrual cycle. It also points to why many people experience mood swings before their period, as insulin activity in the brain can influence emotions.
Thuc Linh (According to NY Post )
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