Addictive Foods- New Research

According to a new book by former FDA chief Dr. David Kessler, many neuroscientists believe that certain people have an addiction to harmful foods, much like those who are addicted to alcohol or drugs. These foods light up the pathway to the pleasure sensing spot of the brain in the same way that alcohol and drugs do.

Foods that are addictive to certain people are those that are high in fats, sugars and salts. These unhealthy foods are craved by the brain in the same way that addicts crave alcohol or drugs. Dr. Kessler states that conditioned "hyper eating" is an addiction to sugary and greasy foods that produce even more cravings for those same foods. Most people are aware of the fact that certain foods just are not good for them, but eat them anyway because they simply cannot stop the craving. Some of the culprits include greasy French fries, ice cream, cookies and potato chips.

If you have ever been sitting in front of a TV and began to crave these foods, it may not be due to hunger but rather a reaction response from your brain. Junk foods offer no nutritional value and lead to obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Even if you are aware of this, scientists say you still might eat these foods anyway when your brain tells you that you have to eat them. The cravings for these foods are so great that even those who have been told to stay away from such foods will succumb to the cravings, causing them to overeat and increase their waistline, as well as endanger their health.

One study included rats that were fed a diet with 25 percent sugar. When the diet of sugar was removed, the rats began to display symptoms such as shakes, nervousness and chattering teeth, which are very similar to symptoms in those who are going through a drug withdrawal. There is a definite link between the pleasure chemicals in the brain that crave sweets, salty foods and fatty foods. These foods, according to Kessler's book, stimulate this aspect of the brain and cause people to eat these foods even when they are not hungry, increasing their intake of fats, sugars and salts.

Everyone is born with a set of genes that can dictate your future eating habits. When you eat sugary foods, however, the "good genes" that can help keep your food cravings down are switched off and a dependency to the sugar is created. Sugar is one of the most addictive of all food substances and a recent study found that refined sugar is actually more addictive than cocaine!

The research found that when rats were given a choice between sugar, water and cocaine, they chose the sugar. This included rats that were previously addicted to cocaine. When offered the sugar, they took the sugar. In order to combat food addictions you have to be able to "build" a system that will help you curb your food cravings.

There are several techniques that can be used to break food addictions. One of them includes EFT, which is psychological acupressure that is based upon the use of acupuncture to treat ailments, but does not require the use of needles. When using EFT, which stands for Emotional Freedom Technique, you can engage the energy system within your body and eliminate the cravings.

You can also tailor your diet to your "nutritional type." With the help of a nutritionist, you can learn if you are a carb person, a protein person or a mixed type when it comes to eating habits. The important thing is that you understand the biochemistry of your body and take in the nutrients that you require for optimal health.