Can’t Pass Up Dessert? Science Has an Answer
After a delicious meal at any of the downtown Boise restaurants,
you might find that no matter how hard you try, you just can’t say “no”
to dessert. But don’t sweat it—it’s not just a matter of willpower—it’s
in our DNA. Food scientists have explored why some humans are naturally
born with a sweet tooth and others aren’t, along with the science
behind these sweet hankerings. Let’s take a look at the data to support
your cravings for sweets at the end of the meal (or any time of the day,
for that matter).
We’ve Evolved to Seek Sugar
Sugar is in more than just chocolate cake and ice cream. It’s also in honey, fruit, and other naturally occurring foods. Millions of years ago, our ancestors discovered that ripe fruit provided much-needed energy and helped them store fat, which at the time was a health benefit in sparse hunting conditions (rather than a nuisance to be burned off on the elliptical).
In modern times, researchers have studied chimpanzees and found they seek out sugar in the form of honey. They will use sticks as tools to reach into the hive and extract the sweet honey, ignoring the bee stings along the way. Much like our diet might suffer when we indulge, it’s clear that appeasing these sweet cravings is worth the cost for humans and chimpanzees alike.
Not Everyone Is the Same
You might notice that while you can’t seem to keep your hand out of the cookie jar, a friend of yours rarely eats sweets. Is this because they have more willpower against their cravings? Well, not necessarily. It could actually be because they were born with different sensitivity in their gustatory receptor cells (taste buds). Humans can sense four basic tastes—bitter, sour, sweet, and salty—and the different sensitivity levels of each person's taste buds to these flavors affects what they like and dislike.
Desserts Can Be a Reward
The hippocampus in your brain is responsible for many things, most notably your reward-seeking behavior. These behaviors are essentially habits you form—such as snacking on a cookie after a long day in the office without even thinking about it. Breaking these habits can be tricky, but as long as they aren’t too out of hand, they shouldn’t be much of a problem. After all, we all have these habits, and rewarding yourself is never a bad idea when you’ve earned it.
Should You Fight These Cravings?
This question is a little tricky and depends on your personal preferences. If you’re at one of the best fine dining Boise restaurants, skipping dessert can leave the meal feeling incomplete. The chef takes great care in creating a menu with ingredients that pair together like a symphony, and the dessert course is the grand finale. Part of going to a fine dining restaurant is the flavor experience, along with the unmatched atmosphere and world-class service from the staff. Dining at an upscale restaurant is a rare occasion for many people, so in that case, make an exception and go with your gut (literally) by selecting a treat from the dessert menu. You won’t regret it.
About Chandlers
If you’re craving top-rated steaks and the freshest, best seafood Boise has to offer, Chandlers is the place to go. Consistently voted among the best restaurants in Boise, Chandlers offers a fine dining experience unmatched by any other restaurant in the area with live music on a nightly basis. They fly in their seafood daily for a freshly caught taste you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the Treasure Valley. With world-class service and menu items prepared with specially sourced local ingredients, enjoy a dining experience like no other at Chandlers.
Feed your cravings and browse the dessert menu at Chandlersboise.com
We’ve Evolved to Seek Sugar
Sugar is in more than just chocolate cake and ice cream. It’s also in honey, fruit, and other naturally occurring foods. Millions of years ago, our ancestors discovered that ripe fruit provided much-needed energy and helped them store fat, which at the time was a health benefit in sparse hunting conditions (rather than a nuisance to be burned off on the elliptical).
In modern times, researchers have studied chimpanzees and found they seek out sugar in the form of honey. They will use sticks as tools to reach into the hive and extract the sweet honey, ignoring the bee stings along the way. Much like our diet might suffer when we indulge, it’s clear that appeasing these sweet cravings is worth the cost for humans and chimpanzees alike.
Not Everyone Is the Same
You might notice that while you can’t seem to keep your hand out of the cookie jar, a friend of yours rarely eats sweets. Is this because they have more willpower against their cravings? Well, not necessarily. It could actually be because they were born with different sensitivity in their gustatory receptor cells (taste buds). Humans can sense four basic tastes—bitter, sour, sweet, and salty—and the different sensitivity levels of each person's taste buds to these flavors affects what they like and dislike.
Desserts Can Be a Reward
The hippocampus in your brain is responsible for many things, most notably your reward-seeking behavior. These behaviors are essentially habits you form—such as snacking on a cookie after a long day in the office without even thinking about it. Breaking these habits can be tricky, but as long as they aren’t too out of hand, they shouldn’t be much of a problem. After all, we all have these habits, and rewarding yourself is never a bad idea when you’ve earned it.
Should You Fight These Cravings?
This question is a little tricky and depends on your personal preferences. If you’re at one of the best fine dining Boise restaurants, skipping dessert can leave the meal feeling incomplete. The chef takes great care in creating a menu with ingredients that pair together like a symphony, and the dessert course is the grand finale. Part of going to a fine dining restaurant is the flavor experience, along with the unmatched atmosphere and world-class service from the staff. Dining at an upscale restaurant is a rare occasion for many people, so in that case, make an exception and go with your gut (literally) by selecting a treat from the dessert menu. You won’t regret it.
About Chandlers
If you’re craving top-rated steaks and the freshest, best seafood Boise has to offer, Chandlers is the place to go. Consistently voted among the best restaurants in Boise, Chandlers offers a fine dining experience unmatched by any other restaurant in the area with live music on a nightly basis. They fly in their seafood daily for a freshly caught taste you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the Treasure Valley. With world-class service and menu items prepared with specially sourced local ingredients, enjoy a dining experience like no other at Chandlers.
Feed your cravings and browse the dessert menu at Chandlersboise.com
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