Why Does My Heart Beat Faster After Sweet Food?
Q.
My heart seems to beat much faster after eating sweet food. Is this normal? Can you tell me why this might happen?
A.
First of all, it is a good idea to go and see your own GP about this and perhaps have some tests. It could be nothing, but it is always a good idea to check out a sign like this as most people don't tend to get this reaction after eating sugary foods.
Everyone is different, however, and while some people feel sleepy after eating generally, others feel energised, others get sweaty and hot. Eating produces reactions within the autonomic part of the nervous system and messages from the stomach and intestines can produce these effects on different parts of the body. It could be that your heart rate increases because you have this sort of reaction.
However, if this is something that has only started happening recently, it could be a sign that your body is not controlling the level of sugar in your blood as well as it could be. Some diabetics experience an increase in heart rate after eating sugar (but many don't) but this would be a good reason for getting a full check up with a trained medical professional.
Many people get palpitations and an increase in heart rate when they drink coffee because their body reacts to the caffeine. Could it be that you are eating your sweet foods with some strong coffee and it is actually the coffee that is increasing your heart rate? Coffee and caffeine drinks such as colas and energy drinks do contain quite high amounts of this stimulant, which can have greater effects in some people than in others.
If your doctor can find no reason why you might be having these symptoms, it could be that you have some anxiety with aspects of your life and it would be good to think about what might be causing you to worry at the moment. Switching to a healthier diet that contains fewer sugary foods, less caffeine and less fat, while concentrating on eating fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains and low fat alternatives will not do any harm and could help lessen your symptoms. Taking more regular exercise would be a good idea too, as could doing something to help you relax.
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