Why Can't You Resist Your Snacks & Drinks?

By Super Admin

Monday, May 30, 2011, 17:03

Scientists have discovered the main cause of various forms of addictions. In the study, food stuffs like cornflakes, biscuits and soft drinks were found to be as addictive as drugs.

These food items with high glycaemic index (GI) trigger an addictive sugar rush, which could be difficult to resist and may lead to obesity. According to the scientists, these products could also face advertisement bans and caution labels along with high taxes and strict regulations.

A similar brain mechanism was found under drug addiction as induced by these food products, thus, implying that heavily processed carbohydrates could cause addiction.

Food with a high GI caused blood-sugar levels to spike suddenly, as told by lead researcher Simon Thornley, from Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

Such sugar rush is known to fuel the brain areas similar to that done by the drugs and nicotine. This is because food with low GI get blood sugar and insulin levels soaring, thus triggering a feeling of contentment and satiety.

The fact still in theoretical stage, if proved could have important public health implications. As concluded by Thornley, high in-take of too much of high-carb foods experienced symptoms of addiction - loss of control, a compulsion to keep taking higher amounts to get the same feel.

This is the first time scientists have pointed GI as the cause of addiction, it also shows similar withdrawn symptoms as well. As found in drug addicts, people with higher weight also had fewer brain receptors.

The study proved that, such people could, however, benefit from getting their hit of blood sugar more slowly by eating low-GI foods or even using a food version of the nicotine patch.

"Just as slow release forms of nicotine help smokers recover from addiction, low GI foods may reduce cravings in obese or overweight populations," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Thornley and his colleagues at the University of Auckland as saying. AGENCIES