Many studies have already shown that, for some people, the reward and pleasure center of the brain,usually triggered by addictive drugs such as cocaine and heroin,They can also be activated by certain foods, especially those that are very tasty, either because of their high content of sugar, fat or salt.
Like addictive drugs, highly palatable foods make us feel good by triggering the production of brain chemicals like dopamine. By experiencing the pleasure associated with the increase in dopamine after eating certain foods, we will quickly feel the need to eat again, creating the addiction.
The reward signals from these types of foods can, in turn, override other signals of fullness and satisfaction. As a result,individuals continue to eat even if they are not hungry.People with food addictions lose control over their eating behavior and find themselves spending excessive amounts of time (and money) associated with food and overeating.
People who show signs of food addiction can also develop a kind of tolerance to food, like the alcoholic. They eat more and more… but food is less and less satisfying (which leads them to continue eating more and more).
Scientists believe that food addiction may play a role in obesity, but people of normal weight can also be prone to food addiction. The difference is metabolism: Their bodies may simply be genetically programmed to better handle the extra calories they take in, or they may even increase their physical activity to compensate for these excess meals.
People addicted to food will continue to eat despite negative consequences, such as weight gain or damaged relationships. And like people who are addicted to drugs or gambling, people who are addicted to food have trouble stopping this type of behavior, even if they want to or have tried many times to slow down or reduce it.
And, what are these foods that are so addictive? We have prepared a list of 25 foods that can be considered addictive.
