Over the weekend, CNN Health released an article discussing a new lab study that revealed a potential link between addiction and high-calorie food. According to the report, high-calorie foods can produce similar neurological effects as highly addictive drugs. Delicious
foods, when consumed in high quantities, can create a sensory overload in the pleasure centers in the brain. As with drugs, higher amounts of food are necessary to achieve the same effects, and when this amount is not consumed, the pleasure centers will experience a “crash.”
The lab test involved rats in a controlled setting. Paul J. Kenny, Ph.D., at the Scripps Research Institute examined three groups of rats for 40 days. One group received regular rat food, the other received controlled amounts of high-calorie food, and the third group had unlimited access to high-calorie food. The rats that ate uncontrollably in the third group became obese and demonstrated substantial changes in the brain.
Of course, it is important to interpret these results with caution. First, animal studies do not necessarily apply to actual human behavior. Secondly, people handle addiction differently – how much is too much? The answer to this question differs drastically for rats and humans.
In any case, Dr. Kenny’s research certainly encourages us to think about our own eating habits. Pleasure center or no pleasure center, we must take the time to eat right and remain balanced in our diets.
For me, creating a balanced diet is a challenge. I don’t always have time to cook, and I’m out of ideas quickly. I’ve been working really hard to eat right, and I’ve found that the task is much easier when I have a well-stocked cabinet of bakeware and cooking supplies. When I have supplies that I like, it’s easier to eat right, pack lunches, and make things from scratch that I actually enjoy. It’s so much more effective to watch what I’m eating when I can keep track of everything that’s going into my food, and with the right supplies, cooking becomes a joy rather than a chore.
Even though Dr. Kenny’s study raises controversy, it also makes me more aware of what I’m eating and how important it is to exercise self-control. Once I get into a routine, it’s definitely tough to bring back the good habits.
Interested in Dr. Kenny’s study? Read more from CNN Health.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/pinksherbet/3210346904
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About Ritika Puri
