You’re not alone! A team of researchers from the University of Michigan and Columbia University’s New York Obesity Research Center found that certain foods share several traits with abusive drugs and can be addictive.
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Well, this proves it… you really are addicted to chocolate… or pizza… or ice cream.
Pizza, unsurprisingly, came out on top of the list of most-addictive foods. Based on these responses, the UMich researchers hypothesized that highly processed foods with added fats and refined sugars are most likely to feel “addictive” to people.
Thus, the researchers conclude that foods with the highest glycemic load seem to be the most problematic.
While it’s common knowledge that hard drugs like crack, cocaine and heroin are highly addictive, you may be more surprised to discover that a manchego habit might be as difficult to kick as a drugs one.
The study found that certain foods are addictive because of the way they are processed.
And the reason that cheese is especially addictive has something to do with a chemical component called casein.
According to Wesleyan University assistant professor of psychology, neuroscience, and behavior, Mike Robinson, these foods are not only addictive, but easiest to eat.
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According to Dr Neal Barnard of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, casein “breaks apart during digestion to release a whole host of opiates called casomorphins”. As per the studies, rats also develop addiction of processed foods, such as cheese and cheesecake. A study presented at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology said that fat individuals’ weight responds differently to processed foods.
