Junk Food Addiction: Real or Imagined? Here’s What the Studies Say

Junk food is ubiquitous in modern society, with fast food restaurants and processed snacks available on every street corner. Many of these foods are high in sugar, high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and fructose. While these ingredients may make food taste delicious, they can also have a powerful effect on the brain, leading to addiction-like behavior and withdrawal symptoms that mimic those of opioid withdrawal.

Sugar and fructose’s effect on the brain

Sugar and fructose are two ingredients that are commonly found in junk food, and they have been shown to have a powerful effect on the brain. When we eat sugar or fructose, our brain releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. This is why many people find sugary foods to be so appealing – they activate the brain’s reward system and make us feel good.

However, over time, the brain can become desensitized to dopamine, and we need more and more sugar or fructose to achieve the same level of pleasure and reward. This is similar to how drug addiction works, with the brain becoming accustomed to a certain level of stimulation and requiring more and more to achieve the same effect.

Hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup

Hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup are two other common ingredients in junk food that have been shown to be addictive. Hydrogenated oils are created when liquid vegetable oils are processed to make them more solid, and they are commonly used in processed foods to give them a longer shelf life and a more desirable texture.

High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that is commonly used in soft drinks, baked goods, and other processed foods. It is made by processing corn syrup to create a sweetener that is cheaper and easier to use than sugar.