A possible reason why people love carbs so much

ninerbuff

The brain loves glucose.

While listening to talk radio this morning on the way home work (KGO), a neuroscientist (Daniel Levitin) was speaking on how are brains are in overload due to the stimulation of media, influx information from technology, etc.
This overload forces the brain to work more and thereby using more energy than our previous ancestors who didn't have to deal with as much cognitive thinking in a fast moving world.

Since carbs are a fast source for glucose, it COULD be that with all the work the brain is doing, it's signalling you to eat carbs to keep the energy source high.

Now this is just an opinion and not stated as fact, but it does make sense.

I'm interested in getting his book to read up more on what his theories are on how the brain is affected with technology.

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zcb94

How enlightening is that?! Most food cravings are related to what nutrients we're low on, and, although I would have to do more research, I believe that science does support your claim. That does lead to a question, though: sadly, us diabetics, who generally need to avoid carbs like the plague, may still crave them for the very reason that the speaker mentioned. What should we do in response to "the urges?"

ninerbuff

bump

Cindy4FunFit

I love this opinion-theory because it enables my highly desired carb eating need, while making me feel that I am powering up my brain in doing so. I'm just having carbs to feed my brain for social media. It's hard work. More carbs, please.

Francl27

Interesting.

ninerbuff

Cindy4FunFit wrote: »

I love this opinion-theory because it enables my highly desired carb eating need, while making me feel that I am powering up my brain in doing so. I'm just having carbs to feed my brain for social media. It's hard work. More carbs, please.

It makes logical sense. Lots and lots of overweight people snack on high carb foods while having a job that requires a lot of computer work.

The author also stated that "multitasking" is basically a bunk. He stated that one is only dividing one's true focus and applying minimal focus to each and every task they are attempting to do at the time. Part of the issue with "overload" is due to many trying to multitask several times a day.

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senecarr

I think it is modern hubris to say we use our brains more.
We have to think LESS in modern society, if you want to think in terms of thinking being a necessity.
I'm at a computer. I'm not thinking. I make a mistake. Worse consequence? My boss might be upset with me.
I'm in the jungle. I'm not thinking. I don't notice all the subtle signs a tiger is near. I'm eaten.
Books, TV, the internet - these are often passive entertainment. You'll generally burn less calories watching TV then you will when sitting idle because at idle, possibly because your brain actually has to work to entertain itself.

ninerbuff

senecarr wrote: »

I think it is modern hubris to say we use our brains more.
We have to think LESS in modern society, if you want to think in terms of thinking being a necessity.
I'm at a computer. I'm not thinking. I make a mistake. Worse consequence? My boss might be upset with me.
I'm in the jungle. I'm not thinking. I don't notice all the subtle signs a tiger is near. I'm eaten.
Books, TV, the internet - these are often passive entertainment. You'll generally burn less calories watching TV then you will when sitting idle because at idle, possibly because your brain actually has to work to entertain itself.

I'll disagree. Here's an excerpt from the book:

Mr. Levitin begins by explaining why we are in the mess we are in. The capacities of our brains grew out of solutions to the problems that our ancestor species confronted when living in the natural world. We have very good memories for routes we walk and for places where things are located because those are the most important things for primates and mammals to be keep track of. And our tendency to be attracted by anything new had great value when new things were likely to be important threats or opportunities. But these capacities may be maladapted to the challenges of current life, especially the man-made parts of it.

Memories tuned for routes and places are simply not designed to store the near-infinity of unique passwords (random strings of letters, numbers and punctuation) that Internet security demands. Decision-making systems that put a premium on novelty betray us when millions upon millions of new data packets are mere finger-taps away. "Every status update you read on Facebook, every tweet or text message you get from a friend," Mr. Levitin writes, "is competing for resources in your brain with important things like whether to put your savings in stocks or bonds, where you left your passport, or how to reconcile with a close friend you just had an argument with." All this piling up taxes our abilities to process information, remember it and make decisions.

What to do? Mr. Levitin devotes several meaty chapters to specific domains—including domestic matters, social connections and time management—in which we tend to fall short of what is needed for peace of mind and productivity. He also considers how to teach younger people to cope with the information-rich environment they
will grow up in. Throughout, he mixes anecdote and science, first-person narrative and tips for successful living. On one page you may read a detailed description of a brain-imaging study, on the next a quotation from the man who was once in charge of managing President Obama's mail, and after that a formula for generating strong but memorable passwords.

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PurringMyrrh

Now if only I could turn my brain against itself and convince it I don't need triple chocolate mousse cake washed down with a Gulden Draak.

And I am blessed with a pretty physical job, but I still spend too much time on the computer/phone.

snowflake954

Interesting idea Niner. I'm interested to see what our MFP experts have to say.

senecarr

ninerbuff wrote: »

senecarr wrote: »

I think it is modern hubris to say we use our brains more.
We have to think LESS in modern society, if you want to think in terms of thinking being a necessity.
I'm at a computer. I'm not thinking. I make a mistake. Worse consequence? My boss might be upset with me.
I'm in the jungle. I'm not thinking. I don't notice all the subtle signs a tiger is near. I'm eaten.
Books, TV, the internet - these are often passive entertainment. You'll generally burn less calories watching TV then you will when sitting idle because at idle, possibly because your brain actually has to work to entertain itself.

I'll disagree. Here's an excerpt from the book:

Mr. Levitin begins by explaining why we are in the mess we are in. The capacities of our brains grew out of solutions to the problems that our ancestor species confronted when living in the natural world. We have very good memories for routes we walk and for places where things are located because those are the most important things for primates and mammals to be keep track of. And our tendency to be attracted by anything new had great value when new things were likely to be important threats or opportunities. But these capacities may be maladapted to the challenges of current life, especially the man-made parts of it.

Memories tuned for routes and places are simply not designed to store the near-infinity of unique passwords (random strings of letters, numbers and punctuation) that Internet security demands. Decision-making systems that put a premium on novelty betray us when millions upon millions of new data packets are mere finger-taps away. "Every status update you read on Facebook, every tweet or text message you get from a friend," Mr. Levitin writes, "is competing for resources in your brain with important things like whether to put your savings in stocks or bonds, where you left your passport, or how to reconcile with a close friend you just had an argument with." All this piling up taxes our abilities to process information, remember it and make decisions.

What to do? Mr. Levitin devotes several meaty chapters to specific domains—including domestic matters, social connections and time management—in which we tend to fall short of what is needed for peace of mind and productivity. He also considers how to teach younger people to cope with the information-rich environment they
will grow up in. Throughout, he mixes anecdote and science, first-person narrative and tips for successful living. On one page you may read a detailed description of a brain-imaging study, on the next a quotation from the man who was once in charge of managing President Obama's mail, and after that a formula for generating strong but memorable passwords.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I think it is a naturalistic fallacy to assume our brains use any more energy doing calculus on a piece of paper that means the difference between an A and B than we would lining up a rock to hit a bird that means the difference between starving and having a full belly.
If we're really trying to cope with our brain not cycling glucose fast enough, we'd be far more likely to be in-synch with our calories. We'd have generally used up the actual glucose (or at least a portion) we're seeking to fill up.

Yogi_warrior

It makes even more sense to make Brains to run on Fat/Ketones.

ninerbuff

senecarr wrote: »

ninerbuff wrote: »

senecarr wrote: »

I think it is modern hubris to say we use our brains more.
We have to think LESS in modern society, if you want to think in terms of thinking being a necessity.
I'm at a computer. I'm not thinking. I make a mistake. Worse consequence? My boss might be upset with me.
I'm in the jungle. I'm not thinking. I don't notice all the subtle signs a tiger is near. I'm eaten.
Books, TV, the internet - these are often passive entertainment. You'll generally burn less calories watching TV then you will when sitting idle because at idle, possibly because your brain actually has to work to entertain itself.

I'll disagree. Here's an excerpt from the book:

Mr. Levitin begins by explaining why we are in the mess we are in. The capacities of our brains grew out of solutions to the problems that our ancestor species confronted when living in the natural world. We have very good memories for routes we walk and for places where things are located because those are the most important things for primates and mammals to be keep track of. And our tendency to be attracted by anything new had great value when new things were likely to be important threats or opportunities. But these capacities may be maladapted to the challenges of current life, especially the man-made parts of it.

Memories tuned for routes and places are simply not designed to store the near-infinity of unique passwords (random strings of letters, numbers and punctuation) that Internet security demands. Decision-making systems that put a premium on novelty betray us when millions upon millions of new data packets are mere finger-taps away. "Every status update you read on Facebook, every tweet or text message you get from a friend," Mr. Levitin writes, "is competing for resources in your brain with important things like whether to put your savings in stocks or bonds, where you left your passport, or how to reconcile with a close friend you just had an argument with." All this piling up taxes our abilities to process information, remember it and make decisions.

What to do? Mr. Levitin devotes several meaty chapters to specific domains—including domestic matters, social connections and time management—in which we tend to fall short of what is needed for peace of mind and productivity. He also considers how to teach younger people to cope with the information-rich environment they
will grow up in. Throughout, he mixes anecdote and science, first-person narrative and tips for successful living. On one page you may read a detailed description of a brain-imaging study, on the next a quotation from the man who was once in charge of managing President Obama's mail, and after that a formula for generating strong but memorable passwords.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I think it is a naturalistic fallacy to assume our brains use any more energy doing calculus on a piece of paper that means the difference between an A and B than we would lining up a rock to hit a bird that means the difference between starving and having a full belly.
If we're really trying to cope with our brain not cycling glucose fast enough, we'd be far more likely to be in-synch with our calories. We'd have generally used up the actual glucose (or at least a portion) we're seeking to fill up.

Neuroscientist has tested this though. Apparently brain activity is higher (thereby using more energy) during daily tasks versus sitting in a quiet room and writing down lyrics of a song.
I'll check out the book when I get it. Haven't yet made up my mind if it's entirely true, but the theory seems quite logical.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

ohmscheeks

Eh, my vote is that food preferences/cravings are mainly based on the foods to which we've become accustomed/comfortable. A person who grew up eating few carbs isn't going to change because you sit him in front of a computer for a few hours.

ninerbuff

ohmscheeks wrote: »

Eh, my vote is that food preferences/cravings are mainly based on the foods to which we've become accustomed/comfortable. A person who grew up eating few carbs isn't going to change because you sit him in front of a computer for a few hours.

However that's not what the neuroscientist found based on study. Again, I'd still like to research it more, but it doesn't sound like the study is incorrect in it's theory.

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kami3006

There is also the belief that it's a genetic throwback to our ancestors who sought out rich foods for their energy and to help them prepare for lean times.

hamptontom

@ninerbuff - what's the name of this book? i think i need to read this...for a multitude of reasons that have nothing to do with food.

ninerbuff

Bump

ninerbuff

hamptontom wrote: »

@ninerbuff - what's the name of this book? i think i need to read this...for a multitude of reasons that have nothing to do with food.

"The Organized Mind"

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ninerbuff

bump