Why does my husband have more willpower? As part of our pact to lose weight, my husband and I decided to start skipping dessert. But most nights I crave sugar so badly, I end up cheating. Meanwhile, my husband hasn’t been tempted once and lost 5 pounds in four days. Why can’t I muster the same willpower?
A new study shows that, compared with men, women demonstrate a far stronger “addiction” to sweets. The female brain produces up to 80 percent more feel-good serotonin following sugar intake. In women, sugar also hyperstimulates the brain’s “reward” centers. As a result, women who cut out sweets tend to experience intense withdrawal, which can last up to seven days and come with acute cravings or blue moods. The easiest fix: Supplement with L-glutamine. The body converts this amino acid into glutamic acid, a healthy source of glucose that instantly reduces dependence on refined sugar (and thus blunts cravings). For best results, take a daily 3 gram supplement like Now Sports L-Glutamine 1,000 mg (at iHerb.com).
