How addictive is food?

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Food addiction is becoming more and more common, especially in obese patients. When experiencing this condition, the patient often has no control over the consumption of certain foods. In fact, some foods are more likely to trigger addiction symptoms than others.

1. How addictive is food?

Up to 20% of people may experience food addiction or addiction-like eating behaviors. This number is even higher in people who are obese. Food addiction is a food addiction similar to that of a person with a substance use disorder, which indicates that the patient is addicted to a particular substance.
The idea that a person can be addicted to food has recently gained increasing support. The evidence is based on research from brain imaging and other studies on the effects of overeating on pleasure centers in the brain.
At the University of Michigan, researchers studied eating in 518 people about food addiction. They used the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) as a reference. This is the most commonly used tool to assess food addiction. Study participants were given 35 foods, both processed and unprocessed. Participants rated how likely they were to have problems with the 35 foods presented in the study, on a scale of 1 (not at all addictive) to 7 (extremely addictive). In this study, 7–10% of participants were diagnosed with a complete food addiction.
In addition, 92% of the participants had binge eating behavior towards certain foods. Many times they want to quit eating them but can't do it.
Animal and human experiments show that reward and pleasure centers appear when stimulated by food similar to when the brain is activated by addictive drugs such as cocaine and heroin, especially delicious food. Very palatable foods are foods rich in:
Sugar Fats Salt Like drugs, palatable foods activate brain neurotransmitters like dopamine. Once people experience the pleasure associated with increased dopamine transmission in the brain's reward pathways when eating certain foods, they quickly feel the need to eat again.
Arousal cues from palatable foods can override other signals of satiety and satisfaction. As a result, people continue to eat, even when they are not hungry. Compulsive overeating is a type of behavioral addiction which means that someone can become preoccupied with a behavior (such as eating, gambling, or shopping) that causes intense pleasure. Food addicts lose control of their eating behavior. Patients feel that they spend too much time on food or anticipate the emotional effects of resisting overeating.

People who show signs of food addiction may also develop a tolerance to food. They eat more and more, only to find that less and less of the food satisfies them.
Scientists show that food addiction can play an important role in obesity. But people of normal weight can also struggle with food addiction. Their bodies may simply be genetically programmed to better process their calorie intake. Or they may increase physical activity to compensate for overeating.
Food addicts will continue to eat without regard for negative consequences, like weight gain or other relationships. And just like people who are addicted to drugs or gambling, people with food addictions will have a hard time stopping their behavior, even if they intend to or have repeatedly tried to reduce their eating. to drink.

2. Signs of food addiction

Researchers at Yale University's Rudd Center for Food Science & Policy have developed a questionnaire to identify people with food addictions.
Here are some sample questions that can help determine if you have a food addiction. Did these actions happen to you? Do you:
Eat more than you originally intended for certain foods Continue to eat certain foods even when you are no longer hungry Eat to the point of feeling nauseous Worried about not being able to eat certain foods or about cutting back on certain foods When certain foods are not available, try to get them Questions about the impact of food on your personal life. Ask yourself if these situations apply to you:
You eat certain foods so often or in such large amounts that you start eating food instead of working, spending time with family or perform recreational activities. You avoid professional or social situations where certain foods are available for fear of overeating. You have problems functioning effectively at work or school because of food and eating. Questionnaire related to psychological withdrawal symptoms. For example, when you cut down on certain foods (except caffeinated beverages) you experience symptoms such as:
Anxiety Agitation Other physical symptoms The questionnaire also tries to assess the impact. of your emotional decisions about food. Do these situations apply to you?
Eating foods that cause problems like depression, anxiety, self-loathing or guilt. You need to eat more and more food to reduce negative emotions or increase pleasure. Eating the same amount of food doesn't reduce negative emotions or increase pleasure as it did before.

3. Addictive foods

The following foods are on the list of foods that people who are addicted to food regularly use. It's no surprise that most of the foods rated as addictive are processed foods. These foods are often high in sugar or fat — or both.
The number after each food is the average score given in the Michigan study mentioned above, on a scale of 1 (not at all addictive) to 7 (extremely addictive).
Pizza (4.01) Chocolate (3.73) Fries (3.73) Cookies (3.71) Ice cream (3.68) Fries (3.60) Cheeseburger (3.51) Soda (non-diet) (3,29) Cake (3.26) Cheese (3,22) Bacon (3.03) Fried chicken (2.97) Roll (plain) (2.73) Popcorn (butter) ( 2.64) Breakfast cereal (2.59) Marshmallows (2.57) Steak (2.54) Muffins (2.50)

4. Help for Food Addiction

Science is still working to understand and find treatments for food addiction.
Some people think that recovering from a food addiction can be more complicated than recovering from other forms of addiction. For example, alcoholics may eventually abstain from drinking. But food addicts still have to eat.
A dietitian, psychologist or doctor trained in food addiction can help you break the cycle of compulsive overeating.
More and more programs to help food addicts. Some, like Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, are based on 12-step programs that have helped many people with alcohol, drug or gambling addictions.

Others, like Food Addicts Anonymous, use the principles of a 12-step program along with strict diets that advise people to abstain from questionable ingredients, like sugar, refined flour, and wheat. Learn more about the options available to treat food addiction.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference sources: webmd.com, foodnetwork.com, healthline.com