Which Foods Are Addictive?

Author: Victoria Aly Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

It turns out that processed foods are addictive, unlike those high in nutrients.

There are foods that we can't stop eating until we eat them, no matter how hard we try. The concept of food addiction has been discussed in scientific circles for some time.

A link has been found between eating and the psychological and behavioral effects of drug use . Such signs are increased impulsivity and emotional reactivity, as well as specific patterns of brain activity .

A new study on the subject, conducted by American researchers and published in the Public Library of Science , brings more clarity.

Scientists have found that some processed foods, including chocolate, ice cream, pastries, have effects that last after consumption. They resemble those due to drug use.

According to one theory, foods that are high in physical stimulants, such as sugar and fat, and are absorbed more quickly by the body, are addictive .

Two studies "investigate" which foods cause this effect the most and the least. Volunteers who take part note the degree on a scale that monitors food addiction .

Food was rated as problematic to the greatest and lowest degree, based on the behavioral and psychological effects that caused the participants.

It turns out that processed foods are addictive, while those high in nutrients and low in calories have almost no similar effect.

In particular, the foods that are most addictive are: pizza, chocolate, potato chips, ice cream, biscuits. At the opposite end of the rock are: cucumber, carrot, apple, brown rice, legumes.

Which Foods Are Addictive?

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