Here’s why you prefer greasy, salty food after drinking
New Delhi, Aug 09 (ANI): A recent study by University at Buffalo can answer questions related to why we crave pizza or other junk foods after drinking alcohol. Inspiration for the study came from an ad researchers saw in a university newspaper. “It said, ‘Got Drunchies?’ and had ads for pizza, tacos, and other fast-food places that were open late after the bars closed,” said one researcher. Considering, for example, an average beer contains 150 calories. A person drinking five beers would intake 750 calories, or a third of their daily energy intake. Add two slices of pizza or a burrito it is a recipe for weight gain. Researchers found that drinking influenced study participants’ dietary behaviours before going to bed. “All alcohol drinkers were more likely to eat something before they went to bed after drinking alcohol than in general before they go to bed,” head researcher wrote. Specifically, they were more likely to opt for salty snack foods and pizza. Healthy foods, such as dark green vegetables and other veggies they would ordinarily eat weren’t as appealing after a few drinks. Of particular concern was the fact that participants didn’t report drinking more water or other non-alcoholic beverages before bed. That exacerbates dehydration, which may lead to additionally unhealthy food choices. The following day after drinking, participants’ dietary patterns varied from the night before. They were less likely to skip meals the morning after a night of drinking compared to a typical morning. And they favoured foods like pizza or tacos over milk and dairy products and grains, most likely because of the so-called hangover cures that get passed down to students and which entail eating foods that "”soak up” the alcohol. Dispelling these myths is one way to promote a healthy diet even after a night of binge drinking.
