How Mental Work Affects Our Food Intake
This second part of our ongoing series on sugar focuses on how cognitive work—like studying or desk work—can influence what and how much we eat. In consultations, clients frequently report increased cravings and hunger during intense periods of study or mental tasks. But what does science say?
Recent studies now show that mental effort increases caloric and sugar intake after such activities.¹
The brain's increased use of sugar during cognitive tasks causes fluctuations in blood glucose, which leads to greater food intake afterward. The more stressful the mental task (tight deadlines, high performance pressure, etc.), the more food is typically consumed—largely due to elevated levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which is known to stimulate appetite.
What’s more, after cognitive effort, people tend to reach for sugary desserts. This can be partly explained by the brain’s increased demand for glucose, but also by our desire for comfort—a reward for intense mental effort. Sweet foods often fulfill that emotional need.
So how can we prevent work or studying from negatively impacting our eating habits?
Two words: Get moving.
A Montréal-based study shows that physical activity counteracts the appetite-stimulating effect of mental work.²
In practice, this could mean taking a walk after work to decompress, or planning your study session before a workout. These small actions can help reduce the unwanted effects of mental fatigue on your food intake.
So, what physical activity will you do today after work?
Références:
- Chaput et al, Psychosomatic Glycemic instability and spontaneous energy intake: association with knowledge-based work, 2008
- Lemay et al, Pediatr Obes, Exercise and negative energy balance in males who perform mental work, 2014