What Happens To Your Body On A Binge

Here's the scenario: It's the end of the year, you're exhausted, and your resolve has weakened. You’ve just devoured a block of milk chocolate and you’re buzzing from a sugar-induced high. This is what’s going on inside.

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BRAIN

A surge of dopamine in your brain’s reward centres triggers pleasure. Mmmm... You want more.

MOUTH

To break down the sugar stuck to your teeth, mouth bacteria produces acid which, unchecked, increases cavity risk.

STRESS

The sugar burst triggers release of the stress hormones, cortisol and adrenalin. This causes a rapid increase in energy, heartbeat and perspiration. Suddenly you may find yourself feeling jittery.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Sweet junk foods are broken down quickly, leaving you hungry again within a few hours. The sugar also feeds bacteria in the gut linked to weight gain and diabetes Type 2.

FAT CELLS

Your body breaks the sugar down into glycogen, which is stored in your muscles. The excess is turned by your liver into fat and gets stored in your fat cells within four to eight hours of your binge.

MOOD

Your pancreas pumps out insulin to rapidly drop your blood sugar levels. Your energy and mood suddenly crash, leaving you tired and hungry.

How to break the binge cycle

Sometimes it can be hard to put the brakes on cravings. The trick? “Opt for a sweet piece of whole fruit with the skin on, a cup of crunchy popcorn, or a handful of unsalted mixed nuts,” says dietitian Brooke Longfield.“These high-fibre foods act like a brake on digestion.”

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