Ever feel like you’re compelled to indulge in unhealthy foods–even if your brain tells you it’s unwise? A new study in the journal, Nature Neuroscience, indicates what many consumers feared was true: junk food may actually be addictive. The participating researchers fed one group of rats a healthy diet with limited junk food options, while the other rat group received unlimited access to high-fat, high-sugar, high-preservative foods like bacon, cake and candy bars. After establishing the diets, researchers observed that the healthy rats were self-limiting in their junk food consumption, while the junk-food group seemed unable to stop eating the unhealthy fare–even when they encountered an electric foot shock. In addition, they refused to eat anything for more than two weeks when the junk food was not offered.
In addition to the food trials, researchers compared the junk-food rat responses to those of drug-addicted rats, and the two groups elicited similar compulsive consumption behaviors. While these results cannot be translated directly to humans, they give researchers insight into the physiology and psychology of food addiction.
JA Corsica and ML Pelchat, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, have also conducted food addiction studies. These scientists say that food addiction theories come from altered neurochemistry (dopamine and endogenous opiods), neuroanatamy (limbic system) and self-medication behaviors.
READ MORE ABOUT THE STUDY HERE.
If getting your kids to eat their fruits and vegetables is a constant chore, visit HealthVideo.com to discover a new way to ensure that your kids get their greens. They may even surprise you by asking for more!
You may have seen the recent advertisements from the Corn Refiner’s Association (below), touting HF corn syrup as “fine in moderation,” and “just like sugar.” But a recent Princeton study found that rats taking in the same number of daily calories gained weight much faster when they had access to high fructose corn syrup, rather than table sugar.
“Some people have claimed that high-fructose corn syrup is no different than other sweeteners when it comes to weight gain and obesity, but our results make it clear that this just isn’t true, at least under the conditions of our tests,” said psychology professor Bart Hoebel–who is an appetite and sugar addiction neuroscience specialist. “When rats are drinking high-fructose corn syrup at levels well below those in soda pop, they’re becoming obese — every single one, across the board. Even when rats are fed a high-fat diet, you don’t see this; they don’t all gain extra weight.”
In addition ot the weight gain, the overweight rats are showing other signs of obesity, including an increase in circulating triglycerides and inordinate increases in fat around the midsection. Participating research assistant Nicole Avena says that the Princeton research project is an important insight into the growing U.S. obesity rate. “Our findings lend support to the theory that the excessive consumption of high-fructose corn syrup found in many beverages may be an important factor in the obesity epidemic,” said Avena.
Those trying to lose weight should read labels carefully, opting out of high fructose corn syrup products when possible. While many breads, cereals and crackers contain the sweetener, there is a widespread movement among manufacturers to replace corn syrup with honey, agave and organic cane juice. Find more about the study here, and access a growing, community list of non-HF corn syrup products here.
If you’ve already found your fitness niche and have been hard at work for months-on-end. you may be suffering from “workout burnout.” Review this helpful article at MSNBC for tips on how to avoid the worst of exercise frustration–and get re-motivated to improve your health.
WORKOUT BURNOUT? AVOID THE FOUR STAGES
