Addiction is a highly misunderstood term, that is not limited to drugs and alcohol. Many habits such as social media scrolling, gambling, overeating, playing video games, and binge-watching can be just as addictive. Now research has discovered that Ultra-Processe Foods (UPFs) with lots of sugars, fats, and additives, like potato chips and ice cream can be just as addictive.
Addiction To Ultra-Processed Foods
The study led by Ashley N Gearhardt from the University of Michigan claimed that sugary and fatty foods can affect the brain similarly to addictive substances like nicotine and alcohol. The study found that UPFs, which are made in factories with ingredients not found in our kitchens, are the main source of these addictive sugars and fats in our diets.
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The findings reported that these foods are strongly linked to addictive behaviours, like overeating, loss of control, cravings, and continuing to eat them even when the person knows it's harmful.
This is concerning as multitudes of studies have shown that UPFs cause serious heart issues and risk of early death. As per a 2019 study published in the British Medical Journal, ‘For each additional serving of UPFs, all-cause mortality relatively increased by 18%.’
Explaining the mechanism by which UPFs can be just as addictive as drugs, nicotine, or alcohol, the study offered some insight:
- UPFs can be addictive because they quickly deliver sugars and fats into our system. This is similar to how drugs that affect the brain rapidly are more addictive.
- UPFs are designed to be easy and fast to eat, making them more rewarding to our brains.
- Additives in UPFs, like flavour enhancers, can increase their addictive nature, and they are also found in cigarettes. Some additives in UPFs make the taste and texture better, which can hook people to these foods.
- Some additives in UPFs can boost the effects of these foods, just like menthol enhances the effects of nicotine in cigarettes. Artificial sweeteners can affect how our bodies absorb sugar.
The study concluded on the note that not all foods are addictive, just like not all drugs are. But among the foods we eat, UPFs seem to be the most likely to lead to addictive eating patterns and harmful health effects. Although more research is needed to fully understand how this happens, this current study is significant in highlighting just how bad UPFs can be for our bodies.