Sweet Tooth, is it Good for Your Health?

Many people have a sweet tooth. This is because the tip of the tongue is where the receptor taste buds are for sweet foods, so we tend to savor more this taste than any other.

There is a problem however, of eating too many sweets. This can lead to several debilitating diseases like obesity and hypertriglycedemia, among others. These are conditions which we would like to avoid as they will eventually lead to cardiac and weight problems; so how can we solve this problem of overeating sweets?

These are some ways to wean us from eating sweets:

Whenever you have the craving for sweets, eat fruit instead. Fruits give the same sweet taste but are less in calories, rich in fibers and vital nutrients needed by the body.
They contain also polyphenol, phytochemicals, (which are antioxidants) fibers, vitamins and other essential nutrients.

A small piece of dark chocolate (without milk) could satisfy also that sweet craving and is a healthy food because it is rich in flavonoids, polyphenols and antioxidants which are substances that reduce hypertension and cardiac diseases .

According to Dr. Mauro Serafini

"Dark chocolate - but not milk chocolate or dark chocolate eaten with milk - is a potent antioxidant,"

Dr. Mauro Serafini, Ph D belongs to Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome.

(http://www.webmd.com/diet/new s/20030827/dark-chocolate-is-healthy-chocolate)

Based on research, chocolates also have the ability to provide enough energy.

Cocoa also has the same effect as dark chocolates. Both have the ability to unclog blood vessels of the bad fats that could cause a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Cocoa and chocolates also promote relaxation and are energy foods. But eating in excess, just like most foods, should be avoided because they still contain sugar and fat.

Yogurt is a rich source of calcium, vitamins and proteins; what more it could be eaten in place of sweets. Choose the type that has low fat and low sugar content and you will be enjoying the health benefits from yogurt as well as satisfying your sweet tooth.

Yogurt also contains the good bacteria which are responsible in aiding biochemical processes in the body, like the strengthening of the immune system.

Honey from bees is the absolute sweet that is good and healthy for the body. It provides the sweet taste and at the same time the much needed carbohydrate from which energy comes from. Since it comes from natural food, the absence of harmful preservatives makes it a more preferred sweetener that sugar.

If the cravings for sweets assail you, just take one of these alternatives.

I'm sure when you have experienced the health benefits and the weight reduction achieved by these choices of sweets, then you'll be self motivated enough to stick to these food regimen.