Although we live under Grace in this age and can pretty much do as we please with our physical bodies, we would do well to note that bodies are NOT our own. We were bought at a price.
Christians are urged to not be a slave to any idol, even food. So why do some crave colas and other sugary drinks while others won't touch the stuff?
It is a scientific fact that God designed each of us with a slightly different chemical make-up. It's called DNA. Due to the fact that were are all chemically unique, our brains crave different nutrients. That's why some crave saltier items like pretzels or potato chips while others crave chocolate and sweets.
Physically speaking, some crave food for needed energy. If you've been overworked or overstressed, your body wants instant energy and sugar and caffeine restore your energy level quickly. Sugars are released in your body in about 15 minutes. (Green tea is a nutrient-dense energy substitute.)
Caffeine is also a drug and although okay in moderation, is addictive and washes away valuable B vitamins and other valuable nutrients. Lacking nutrients, your body nags for fuel and you're hungry again. It's a vicious cycle.
If you consume a nutritionally balanced diet, you are naturally more energetic and derive your chemical energy from whole foods. Therefore consuming junk food isn't a desirable practice.
But why do some become addicted to Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) and Sucralose (Splenda) drinks?
These products change brain/body chemistry, raising blood sugar levels, and producing miserable side effects. Personally, having experienced adverse reactions, I totally avoid them. And I'm not alone as many of my patients have complained of shakiness, heart palpitations, skin rashes, stomach, and kidney pains after consuming any product containing these artificial sugars.
Artificial drinks also tend to make one hungrier. There seems to be connections between the ghrelin - leptin hormonal metabolic insulin response. Ghrelin is the hormone that tells you you're hungry while Leptin shuts off the "I'm hungry" response.
Recent scientific studies have shown that these chemicals can interfere with the leptin cut off lever, leaving a person desiring more food. That's the reason sometimes one can't stop at one potato chip.
So if artificial sugars defeat the purpose of losing weight, then why risk additional health concerns by using these chemically produced items you can't pronounce? The body doesn't recognize these chemicals as food, therefore it cannot detoxify them so they fester in your liver forever.
Still crave cokes? We all eat for emotional reasons as well as physical. It could be a comfort response too. That's why certain foods such as chocolate, ice cream and mac and cheese are called "comfort" foods.
If you shared sodas with friends when younger, you might miss those friendships. Drinking a coke brings back a great memory! Or it simply makes you feel happy - and who wants to give up THAT feeling? By the way, I create my own sodas with carbonated flavored water (without artificial sweeteners) with a good quality fruit juice. Refreshing and it contains a few nutrients.
Bottom line: I urge you not to believe false advertising which only benefits the manufacturers of these products. These people don't care about your body as God does. Aspartame and Splenda were created by chemists. My food was created by God. Before you purchase, research the ingredients. If you can't pronounce it, don't buy it!
"Don't you know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own for you have been bought at a price. Therefore glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthian 6:19,20)
No comments:
Post a Comment