Image courtesy of Elisaveta Ivanova/istockphoto
Have you ever found yourself questioning your life decisions after polishing off a bag of chips? Well, you’re not alone. According to a study led by University of Michigan professor Ashley Gearhardt, ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have the power to hijack our brain’s reward system, similar to substances like nicotine and cocaine. Using the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), researchers have determined that certain foods can be incredibly difficult to resist.
What makes these foods so dangerous? They all share a common trait: a combination of refined carbohydrates and fat that triggers a surge of dopamine, overrides our sense of fullness, and keeps cravings lingering long after we should have stopped eating. In essence, some foods are crafted to keep us hooked.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the worst offenders:
1. **Pizza**
It’s no surprise that pizza, with its irresistible combination of cheese, grease, and refined carbs, is a top contender. The cheese in pizza contains casomorphins, which bind to opioid receptors in the brain, creating a sense of reward and pleasure. No wonder it’s so challenging to stop at just one slice.
2. **Chocolate**
If you’ve ever intended to have just a small piece of chocolate but ended up devouring more than planned, you’re not alone. Chocolate’s sugar, fat, and theobromine content activate the brain’s reward system, boosting mood and leaving us craving more of its delectable taste.
3. **Potato Chips**
Nobody intends to finish an entire bag of potato chips, but the allure of these ultra-processed foods is hard to resist. The combination of fried starch and oil triggers a dopamine rush in the brain, while the quick dissolution of chips tricks our minds into thinking we haven’t eaten much, fueling continuous consumption. The salt content further enhances the pleasure response, keeping us reaching for more.
4. **Cookies**
Cookies, with their blend of refined carbs and fat, provide a rewarding experience for our brains. The rapid breakdown of white flour and sugar leads to a spike in blood sugar levels and a release of dopamine. However, the fleeting nature of this pleasure results in subsequent cravings, driving us to indulge in more cookies.
5. **Ice Cream**
Indulging in ice cream can feel like a never-ending cycle of spoonfuls, thanks to its addictive mix of sugar and fat. Similar to cookies, the combination of these elements triggers cravings and delays the feeling of fullness, making it easy to consume more than intended.
6. **French Fries**
French fries, much like chips, adhere to the UPF formula by combining refined carbs, fat, and salt to create an addictive snack. The resulting dopamine rush coupled with the delayed recognition of fullness makes it challenging to resist the allure of these crispy treats.
In conclusion, the
The risk of developing high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases is increased by consuming certain types of food. Cheeseburgers may appear to be a simple combination of a soft bun, juicy meat, and melty cheese, but in reality, they are loaded with refined carbs, fats, and salt, which work together to manipulate your brain into craving more. Regular soda, as opposed to diet soda, is essentially liquid sugar with a jolt of caffeine. It delivers a quick surge of glucose that spikes your blood sugar levels and leaves you yearning for more as soon as you experience the inevitable crash. When it comes to cake, the frosting consists of nothing more than butter and sugar whipped into a fluffy confection, while the cake itself is a light, airy carbohydrate bomb engineered to vanish within moments. Cheese is another culprit, containing casein, a protein that breaks down into casomorphins – compounds that attach to opioid receptors in the brain, creating a chemical dependency. This perhaps elucidates why there are times when indulging in copious amounts of cheese directly from the block seems like a reasonable course of action, sans a plate or any semblance of dignity, as one surrenders to their dairy addiction. For additional entertaining food-related insights, be sure to subscribe to our complimentary newsletters. This piece was originally featured on Cheapism.
