Brushing Teeth Curbs Sugar Cravings? Nutritionist Breaks Down The Science

Sugar cravings can occur due to several factors such as deficiency of nutrition, anxiety, blood sugar crashes, dehydration, and insufficient sleep, among others. Sugar cravings work as reward system as they trigger happy hormones namely serotonin and dopamine. Deficiency of magnesium, zinc, protein can lead to cravings as the body looks for source of instant energy. Sometimes daily habits such as chocolate after lunch can create a reward cycle in the brain.

However, if you have been dieting, sugar cravings can spoil all your efforts because the body may rebel and push you to relish sweet treat. There are many hacks to control sugar cravings. Recently, leading nutritionist Pooja Makhija shared one such hack that will help you control those urges for sugary items. She suggested brushing teeth whenever you get cravings for sweet items.

In a post on Instagram, Pooja Makhija revealed, “cravings are not always about hunger. Often they are about dopamine prediction. Often when you eat something sweet, your brain does not just respond to sugar. It responds to anticipation – the cue – the routine – reward loop (described by Charles Duhigg in The Power of Habit).”

Why Brushing Teeth Works?

The nutritionist said, “brushing works because it disrupts the cue. Menthol activates TRPM8 receptors – cold sensitive channels in the mouth – altering taste perception and temporarily reducing the reward value of sweet foods. The sensory interference reduces the expected dopamine payoff."

She said the menthol in toothbrush stimulates cold receptors TRPM 8 that makes sweet food taste weird, bitter, metallic, and bitter. The results therefore is that the desert you were craving is suddenly less appealing.

Most often, cravings are sensory and not actually physiological. So when you reset sensory simulation with foam and mint and freshness, you are disrupting this sensory urge that was driving the craving. For most of us brushing our teeth is a behavioural cue, right? It psychologically tells us that eating is done, kitchen is closed.

Therefore, this is known as habit loop interruption. You are replacing a craving behavior with a ritual. It is going to help those who have this pattern of post dinner sugar cravings, boredom eating or time driven sugar cravings, added the nutritionist.

Where This Hack Will Not Work?

Of course, this hack is not going to help those who have sugar cravings because of low protein intake, low salt intake, large gaps between their meals or skipped meals sleep deprivation or cortisol spikes because brushing your teeth affects psychology and not physiology, asserted Pooja Makhija .

So next time when you feel an urge to pick an unhealthy sugary snack at night or when you are dieting, brush your teeth. It will send a psychological signal to the brain that you are done eating and preparing for bed.  

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.