Why we crave fats AND carbs
Discussion
Following on from this thread: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/xforums/topic.asp?h=0...
I had this thought, that really it's to crave protein:-
You can do a search of the internet for "why we crave fats" or "why we crave carbs". You will find all manner of good reasonings. Either will claim to be right with the other wrong, but they never look a the big picture. The reason both hypotheses exist is because We crave both fats AND carbs at the same time, because these are the best way in nature to get what humans really need - protein.
So why don't we just crave protein directly, like others claim we do fats or carbs? We can taste fats and carbs by partially digesting them in your mouth. We have enzymes called Lingual Lipase and Lingual Amylase in our Saliva. Lipase breaks down fats, Amylase breaks down carbs, both into small enough particles so that we can taste them. Carbs and fats also break down easily in cooking too, which is why we can detect them with smell. They are easy to break down in nature due to the high energy chemical bonds which like to separate. However, the bonds in protein are more stable and solid so are relavtively much more difficult to break down without a complex and time-consuming digestive system. So we could never break down protein in our mouths fast enough to produce taste.
In nature protein is always encased in either fats, carbs or both. It's never found existing on it's own, but more importantly, where fats AND carbs are present, there is always a good source of protein. Protein is more essential for humans than any other animal, being that it is essential brain food. Because we cannot taste it, we must crave both the macro-nutrients that are certain to be present.
The reality is of course, we need it all, so crave it all. No over-riding preference, despite what some people can eloquently claim. We're Omnivores. And I ultimately proving is you could claim we crave fats, carbs or protein it just depends on how you decide to word it.
I had this thought, that really it's to crave protein:-
You can do a search of the internet for "why we crave fats" or "why we crave carbs". You will find all manner of good reasonings. Either will claim to be right with the other wrong, but they never look a the big picture. The reason both hypotheses exist is because We crave both fats AND carbs at the same time, because these are the best way in nature to get what humans really need - protein.
So why don't we just crave protein directly, like others claim we do fats or carbs? We can taste fats and carbs by partially digesting them in your mouth. We have enzymes called Lingual Lipase and Lingual Amylase in our Saliva. Lipase breaks down fats, Amylase breaks down carbs, both into small enough particles so that we can taste them. Carbs and fats also break down easily in cooking too, which is why we can detect them with smell. They are easy to break down in nature due to the high energy chemical bonds which like to separate. However, the bonds in protein are more stable and solid so are relavtively much more difficult to break down without a complex and time-consuming digestive system. So we could never break down protein in our mouths fast enough to produce taste.
In nature protein is always encased in either fats, carbs or both. It's never found existing on it's own, but more importantly, where fats AND carbs are present, there is always a good source of protein. Protein is more essential for humans than any other animal, being that it is essential brain food. Because we cannot taste it, we must crave both the macro-nutrients that are certain to be present.
The reality is of course, we need it all, so crave it all. No over-riding preference, despite what some people can eloquently claim. We're Omnivores. And I ultimately proving is you could claim we crave fats, carbs or protein it just depends on how you decide to word it.
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