2023-11-04 20:31:00
In winter, comforting dishes are often (very) high in calories. Added to this is a tendency to stay sunk in the sofa rather than playing sports. Consequence: weight gain is almost inevitable! But are there other reasons for these extra pounds?
Raclette evenings, snacks by the fire, gratins… During winter, there is no shortage of opportunities to warm up our bodies, stimulate our taste buds and comfort our morale which is sometimes at half mast. Caloric intake quickly exceeds energy expenditure. In addition, fats and sugars are often more present on our plates than fruits and vegetables, which we did not deprive ourselves of this summer.
But there is also a biological reason for the little winter pounds. According to a study carried out by researchers at the University of Alberta (United States), in summer, natural light prevents our cells (adipocytes) from storing fat (lipids).
How to explain it? “When the wavelengths of the rays emitted by the sun penetrate the skin and reach the fat cells, the lipid droplets are released from the cell”, and therefore released from the body, specifies Professor Peter Light, lead author. In winter, the slightest exposure to the sun, or even its avoidance, prevents this mechanism: our bodies will therefore preserve all the fat cells and the lipids they contain.
Good fats, good sugars
To face the little bouts of winter blues, although chocolate bars and other sweets are comforting, they are detrimental and this shows on the scale. It is therefore advisable to vary the pleasures with:
Good fats, that is to say essential fatty acids or omega 3 known to ensure the proper functioning of the nervous system, in particular. They contribute to good mood by maintaining exchanges between serotonin and neurons. It is found in fatty fish (sardines, salmon, mackerel, etc.), linseed oil, etc.
Good sugars, that is to say fructose and glucose rather than sucrose (white sugar). So eat fruit, honey, linseed, pumpkin or raisin breads rather than industrial cakes and other sweets. It is in fact proven that white sugar will boost your brain when you eat food, while transforming into fat. Then this peak will come back down just as quickly, accentuating depression among vulnerable people.
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