How Ice Cream Can Turn a Rough Day into a Sweet One?

An estimated 97 percent of people enjoy indulging in ice cream according to information from the International Dairy Foods Association. If you’re like most people, there’s at least one flavor you just can’t resist. Of course, quite a few people feel a bit guilty after enjoying this much-loved sweet treat. Based on several studies, though, maybe they shouldn’t. Ice cream actually has numerous benefits that make it a fantastic addition to your routine. Take a look at some of the ways ice cream can turn a rough day into a sweet one.

Boosting Dopamine and Serotonin Production

It’s no secret that ice cream contains a great deal of sugar, carbohydrates, and fat. Many people may see that as a reason to avoid it. Research indicates that quite the opposite is true, though. Because of its high sugar, fat, and carb content, ice cream can trigger the brain’s reward center. That, in turn, boosts dopamine and serotonin production. Those are our feel-good hormones, and they help to regulate our emotional responses. In short, ice cream makes us happy. That’s reason enough to make going to get ice cream a regular part of your life, but it’s only the beginning.

Preventing Depression and Anxiety

Additionally, studies show that eating ice cream can help to ward off depression and anxiety. That’s due in large part to its ability to ramp up serotonin and dopamine production. It not only makes us feel happy in the moment but can also aid in keeping endorphin levels regulated. At the same time, the fat, carbs, and certain other ingredients in ice cream can reduce stress levels and promote healthy sleep patterns. Both of those factors are key in curbing anxiety and depression. While ice cream isn’t a standalone cure for those conditions, it certainly helps.

Building Strong Bones

Ice cream can also help you build strong bones. After all, it’s made of milk and cream, so it contains calcium. That, of course, is crucial for keeping bones strong. Bones aren’t the only parts of the body that need, calcium, though. This mineral is essential for numerous processes. It aids in regulating blood pressure, maintaining a regular heartbeat, and forming blood clots when we get cuts or scrapes. Calcium also helps to keep muscles healthy and working properly. Our bodies can’t produce calcium on their own; we have to glean it from the foods we eat. Besides that, ice cream contains vitamin D, which makes the calcium you consume more effective by helping your body absorb it.

Providing an Energy Boost

Eating ice cream can also give you a major energy boost. Its carbohydrates are crucial components for generating the energy the body needs to keep going. Our bodies break down those substances into resources it can either use immediately or store for later. Many people might argue that much of the energy you get from ice cream is short-lived. Still, it can certainly be just enough to help you beat afternoon fatigue or power through a long day.

Enjoying the Many Benefits of Ice Cream

Ice cream can give you numerous benefits. It contains calcium, carbs, and a variety of other nutrients your body needs. It helps keep bones and muscles strong and can help ward off bouts of depression and anxiety. Aside from those benefits, ice cream can potentially keep the nervous system working properly and help you get a good night’s sleep. On the most basic level, cold, sweet, creamy ice cream makes us happy. With all that being the case, why not enjoy it to the fullest?