Ice Cream After Midnight
After a long, stressful day, have you ever found yourself craving something salty or sugary?
Inside each of us are itty-bitty cell receptors called Mineralocorticoid Receptors (MR) and Glucocorticoid Receptors (GR).
The function of Mineralocorticoid Receptors (MR) is to receive information from the hormones in your body, telling you when it's time to consume electrolytes and/or water.
Aldosterone is one such hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating fluid intake, blood pressure, controlling our sweat glands, and detecting sodium and potassium levels in our blood. Additionally, an aldosterone imbalance may present with symptoms such as fatigue, changes in appetite, difficulty with memory and concentration, or mood disturbances. At worst, it can result in heart or kidney failure.
When it comes to Glucocorticoid Receptors (GR), these little cell receptors are responsible for regulating our metabolism, controlling inflammation, and boosting our immune system.
MRs and GRs are over 50% identical, which might not seem like a big deal overall. But on the molecular level, those tiny differences allow the food and liquids we consume to go into the correct space.
Where it becomes a problem is with excessive cortisol production.
It’s in their name after all — Corticoid. Cortisol is our stress hormone, and it shares about 90% of its structural makeup with... aldosterone.
Cortisol can bind easily with the MRs and GRs of our cells, which means that our body may not be receiving information from other hormones, like aldosterone, telling us when we should be consuming food and/or fluids. This can put our bodies in a state of temporary shock, or storage-saving mode, where only the most essential functions continue.
Cravings aren’t random.
This is survival mode.
Our body is searching for a quick way to restore balance, reaching for salty snacks, sugary desserts, and yes, ice cream after midnight.
Prolonged exposure to stress doesn’t just affect us mentally — it rewires how our body stores, signals, and processes.
Disclaimer: This post is for educational discussion only. It reflects my understanding based on research, study, and available literature. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice or treatment.
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