This is why we crave sugary food! Professor Tim Spector

Added: 2026-05-04

[00:00:00]Why is it that we tend to crave these unhealthy processed sugary foods when we're stressed, tired, Current theories are that it is probably related to our need to like mother's milk. Some they get straight onto formula feed with even more sugar in it. Then they're given [music] these pouches, weaning pouches, which are full of more sugar. And even if it's with artificial sweeteners, it's still tickling those same reward centers.

[00:00:25]Neither of us would be here alive if we didn't like mother's milk. If we spat it out and refused it or vomited it up.

[00:00:32]>> [music] >> So, liking something that has the same similar sweetness and fatty content to mother's milk is really important to us humans. Yeah, things like honey are sweet and sugary and give us energy. So, very [music] much drilled in if we're out looking for food, we would immediately go to something [music] that is sweet. We generally think as they see that as being a safe and life-giving.

[00:00:55]That's the current belief about why we have this reward system in our [music] head that then sends signals back to our gut to say, "Keep eating this stuff and I'll keep sending you these happiness happy baby signals." Basically of uh contented baby. We're still [music] just big babies.