This is your Brain on A Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Starbucks calls the Pumpkin Spice Latte the company’s most popular seasonal beverage of all time. It seems to push a lot of buttons, but what exactly makes it so irresistible for some?

Did you know:
A 16-ounce Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte made with whole milk has 420 calories, 18 grams of fat and 50 grams of sugar — or around 10 teaspoons worth….

Here’s a breakdown on why your body — and your mind — may find this particular drink appealing:

1. You’re biologically wired to like it.

Any combination of fat and sugar is a big draw for us. The sugar and fat interact on our taste buds to boost the flavors and make them “pop” more than either one alone

2. Your brain associates it with happy times.

Think about all the fun rituals of autumn. You probably have happy thoughts about the season and all the good memories it produces: dressing up for Halloween, carving pumpkins, getting together for Thanksgiving, jumping into leaf piles and picking apples.

3. You get a caffeine hit.

Caffeine has been called the “most commonly used mood-altering drug in the world.” Coffee lovers know it can stimulate the central nervous system, which can make you more alert and give you a boost of energy.

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