Ever wondered why you crave those crispy, spicy, and fried food items during rains? Well, there's science behind it!
It's raining outside, you are in the comfort of your home and enjoying the picturesque views (not to mention the soothing sounds) from your balcony. No wait, there's something missing. Let's add a plate full of crispy and fried foods (samosas, kachoris, or pakodas) in your hands, and now it looks perfect. No matter how big health-conscious you are, you simply cannot help but crave those items when it rains. And it’s not a mere coincidence; there are scientific explanations behind that.
 in your hands, and.webp)
The monsoon is here in full swing, and so do our cravings for crispy and fried foods. But before you indulge in the next platter, read ahead to understand it better.
Our body produces serotonin (one of the main happy hormones) when our skin gets exposed to sunlight. Hence, the lack of sunlight during rains causes a significant decrease in our serotonin levels, leaving us feeling low and anxious. To tackle the issue, our body (read brain) starts craving carbohydrates that help boost the hormone's production. And as you may know, fried items are packed with carbohydrates.
On the other hand, there's also a dip in our body's vitamin D levels due to the same. We feel stressed and anxious as a result, and hence we crave our comfort foods (like samosas and kachoris) to cheer up!
Just like we crave chilled drinks during the summer, our brain looks for something warm during the rain. These foods increase our body's temperatures, helping us to adjust to the damp weather outside.
Also, due to the increased humidity in the air, our body retains more water and begins to experience a sense of discomfort. In such scenarios, our brain gives us signals to consume crispy and fried foods to restore the balance of fluid.
Moreover, the presence of capsaicin in crispy and fried foods tricks the nerve receptors in our mouth into thinking that we have consumed something hot. As a reaction to that, our brain releases several happy hormones (such as endorphins) to help us tackle the feeling. And this is exactly why it feels so good to indulge in those food items during monsoon.
While it feels immensely tempting to eat such foods, please note that there could be some harmful effects on your health. So, do keep the following pieces of advice in mind.
Most importantly, go for home-cooked fries and snacks instead of those street items (as hygiene may be an issue there). It's better if you cook them with fresh ingredients.
The serotonin production in the body while consuming those items is usually slow. And that's why the craving remains even after you have eaten a lot. But it's important to check on the quantity, and not to overeat. Eat slowly, and enjoy every bite that you take.
Do not drink water while having them. You can have a cup of warm tea or coffee.
It's common to crave such foods during rain, so you are definitely not alone. But it obviously doesn't mean that you have to opt for unhealthy options (for example, samosas). Some healthier alternatives could be crispy corn, aloo paratha, littichokha, and aloo tikki.
