New study reveals link between addictive foods and addict behaviour
Highly processed foods share the same traits as abusive drugs. Using the Yale Food Addiction Scale, a team of researchers analyzed 35 popular foods and surveyed 400 adults and 120 undergraduates at the University of Michigan.
As you would expect, chocolate topped the list. Other favourites included pizza, chips, ice cream, cookies, cake, cheese, bacon and soft drinks.
Convenience foods are particularly rewarding, being high in refined carbohydrates, fats and added flavourings. Some foods, including cheese, trigger opioid receptors in the brain just like heroin. Increased activity in parts of the brain related to the reward system has been found in both food addicts and substance abusers when provided with cues for their ‘fix’.
Cheese triggers same part of brain as hard drugs, study finds Casein is the reason why you can’t put down the brie.
By Kashmira Gander, The Independent, October 2015
Cheese contains a chemical found in addictive drugs, scientists have found. The team behind the study set out to pin-point why certain foods are more addictive than others.
Using the Yale Food Addiction Scale, designed to measure a person’s dependence on, scientists found that cheese is particularly potent because it contains casein. The substance, which is present in all dairy products, can trigger the brain’s opioid receptors which are linked to addiction…
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