Scientists have claimed that hamburgers, French fries, sugar laced donuts and a host of other fast foods can be just as addictive as heroin. Dependency on particular foods such as sugar and fats sit at the forefront of their concerns. Research has provided ample evidence to back their fears, fast food fans can definitely become overly dependent on sugar and fat laced food products.
These findings back the fact that the fast food members of society have little self control and very limited concerns or knowledge, about health related issues. Unfortunately the trend for fast foods has increased dramatically over the last few decades leaving an ever increasing rate of obesity in its wake. The inhabitants of the western world in particular, are very addicted to fast foods.
A study on rats was carried out by Dr John Hoebel and his colleagues at Princeton University in New Jersey. These studies found that rats which were fed foods which contained in excess of 25% of sugar, went into a frenzied state of anxiety when the sugar was removed from their diets. In actual fact, the rats experienced withdrawal symptoms which included the shakes and chattering of teeth. These symptoms were similar to those experienced by people who suffer withdrawal symptoms from drugs, nicotine, alcohol and so forth.
Dr Hoebel believes that high fat foods stimulate opiods (pleasure chemicals) within the brain. This study certainly enlightens us when we question why so many people are so focused on fast foods. While these studies were carried out, over in Wisconsin Medical School, a neurologist by the name of Ann Kelly was studying rats after they were fed, salty, sweet and fatty foods.
Yes there was link between the brain's pleasure chemicals and the craving for these particular types of foods. She then gave the rats a synthetic version of opiod enkephlin which caused the rats to eat six times more than their usual fat intake. Her findings showed that pleasurable foods can alter gene expression and states that one can certainly become addicted to varied foods.
It's been said by numerous researchers that fast foods can cause blood sugar levels to peak, then plunge rapidly. This is supposedly why we go back for more fast foods, so that we can experience that peak (desire) once again. What many fail to realize is that sugar is not the only offender, caffeine in coke is just as addictive, teobromin in chocolate is as well. We then venture to toffee and find both teobromin and caffeine luring us to eat more.
Results of one research showed that personality characteristics of fast food abusers were very similar to those of alcohol and drug abusers. Why? Because these fast food dependent people experienced so many similar symptoms when separated from the fast foods for lengthy periods of time. Symptoms included sadness, frustration, anxiety, aversion, irritability and anger. Noticeable is the fact that these symptoms often, but not always, apply to people who are obese.
In various parts of the world MSG is still in use, this is defined as an excitotoxin which was specifically designed to become an addictive food additive. Yet this does not deter the fast food lovers. Busy professionals, factory workers, school children, stressed housewives, all and sundry love fast foods. Sadly most of us don't sit back and give a thought to why we have such a craving for a cheeseburger or a piece of deep fried spicy chicken etc, we simply do, until we feed that craving we are anxious.
Even Chinese food has become addictive. And let's not fool ourselves, Chinese food is not a diet option, many Chinese meals come with 1,400 calories. Perhaps the ever increasing hectic lifestyles we lead are to blame, irrespective of the reasons; lawyers, doctors, secretaries, plumbers, electricians and so forth are ploughing their way through tons of unhealthy fast foods daily. Yet a survey showed that professionals eat more fast foods than the lower class people. Statistics state that one household in every three in America, has takeaway for a main meal at least once per week. Yet it doesn't stop there, more than three million individuals eat takeaway at least twice a week.
Deep fried greasy fish and chips, upsized cheeseburger meals with cola, sugar dipped donuts, fatty fried chicken, we want them and we desire them constantly. Yes we are addicted and yes fast food can be addictive!