Ice Cream and potato chips are as addictive as drugs: Study

Digital Desk: Millions of people are struggling with the problem of junk food addiction around the world. They make an effort to stop eating things like ice cream, potato chips, and similar indulgences, but frequently fail to do so. Many food experts and scholars have conducted substantial research on this phenomenon.

UPFs, or ultra-processed foods, can now be as addictive as drugs, say scientists. Because UPFs are harmful and have been associated with numerous health issues, this is concerning. A comprehensive analysis of 281 studies from 36 nations revealed that 14% of people are UPF addicted. UPFs are a big issue since they are so prevalent in our diet.

According to The New York Post, fatty foods including sausages, ice cream, biscuits, soft drinks, and sugary cereals are linked to a range of unfavorable health consequences, including cancer, cognitive decline, psychological distress, and premature mortality.

Also Read :  WHO approves Malaria vaccine R21/Matrix-M made by Oxford and Serum Institute of India

The study, which looked at factors such as uncontrollable and excessive consumption, persistent cravings, and continued intake despite the possibility of adverse health effects, was led by University of Michigan professor Ashley Gearhardt.

In their most recent research, Gearhardt and her colleagues found that "the combination of refined carbohydrates and fats often found in UPFs seems to have a supra-additive effect on brain reward systems, above either macronutrient alone, which may increase the addictive potential of these foods."

The Yale Food Addiction Scale was developed in 2009 to measure the issue, according to The Guardian, by Professor Ashley Gearhardt of the University of Michigan, who served as the review's principal author.

"I took the standard diagnostic criteria for alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, and heroin and translated them to food," she states.

Excessive intake, losing control over consumption, cravings, continued consumption despite unfavorable effects, and withdrawal are among the criteria. A person is considered to have a food addiction if they have had "significant impairment or distress" and two or more symptoms over the previous year.