Most people in the world are fond of at least one or two addictive foods product that has the effect of dependence and over time become hard to withdraw from.
Recent research suggests that up to 15% of adults and 12% of children may be addicted to ultra-processed foods (UPFs) or junk foods. The addictive nature of UPFs lies in their composition, which is often rich in refined carbohydrates and added fats. These ingredients trigger a rapid spike and subsequent crash in dopamine levels in the brain, creating a cycle of craving and consumption[1].
Consuming these addictive foods in excess can lead to serious health consequences, including weight gain, obesity, heart disease, and cancer. Breaking free from food addiction requires a multifaceted approach, including individual efforts and systemic changes. These addictive foods include the following;
Fizzy drinks, Ice cream, ready meals, crisps, biscuits, and some alcoholic beverages,
The Reason Why You Consume These Foods
Food cravings, especially for sweet, salty, and fatty foods, are a common experience for many people, particularly women during their menstrual cycle. These cravings are often attributed to hormonal fluctuations and changes in neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin and dopamine, which can influence mood and food preferences.
During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, just before the onset of menstruation, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, leading to a decrease in serotonin production. This hormonal shift can trigger cravings for carbohydrate-rich and sweet foods, as they can temporarily boost serotonin levels and improve mood.
Interestingly, women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a more severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), tend to have stronger cravings for high-sweet-fat foods during the luteal phase compared to women without PMDD. This may be due to their heightened reward sensitivity and emotional response to these types of foods.
The Science Behind Food Addiction: How Addictive Foods Hijack Your Brain
Food addiction is a serious issue that affects millions of people worldwide. When you consume highly palatable, processed foods, they trigger the release of feel-good chemicals like dopamine in your brain’s reward system. This creates a pleasurable sensation, known as a “high”.
However, as you repeatedly indulge in these addictive foods, your brain starts to adapt. It downregulates dopamine receptors to maintain balance. This means you need to consume even more of the addictive food to achieve the same level of pleasure, a phenomenon called tolerance.
When you don’t get your “fix” of the addictive food, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like irritability, fatigue, and cravings. This vicious cycle of tolerance and withdrawal is a hallmark of addiction. Below are some side effects of certain addictive foods.
Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most addictive substances due to its effects on the brain. It triggers the release of dopamine[2], a neurotransmitter that creates feelings of pleasure and reward in the brain’s reward pathways. This dopamine surge reinforces the desire to keep drinking, leading to compulsive alcohol use.
With repeated alcohol consumption, the brain adapts by reducing the number of receptors for dopamine and other neurotransmitters. This causes the person to need more alcohol to achieve the same pleasurable effects, leading to increased drinking and the development of tolerance and physical dependence.
When a person with alcohol dependence stops drinking, they can experience unpleasant and even dangerous withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, anxiety, and seizures. This motivates them to keep drinking to avoid these symptoms, further perpetuating the addiction cycle.
Chronic alcohol use can impair the prefrontal cortex[3], the part of the brain responsible for decision-making, judgment, and impulse control. This makes it increasingly difficult for the person to resist the urge to drink, even in the face of negative consequences.
Tobacco
Tobacco is one of the most heavily used addictive products in the United States, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Tobacco addiction is primarily driven by the presence of nicotine, a highly addictive chemical found in tobacco products according to study. Nicotine can produce negative effects in the brain, such as mood changes, and can kill brain cells and stop new ones from growing in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory. Nicotine releases a chemical called dopamine in the same regions of the brain as other addictive drugs, causing mood-altering changes that make the person temporarily feel good. This “rush” is a major part of the addictive process.
Nicotine dependence involves both physical and psychological factors that make it difficult to stop using tobacco, even if the person wants to quit. Physical signs of nicotine dependence include the urge to smoke within 30 minutes of waking, ranking the first cigarette of the day as the most important, and smoking at regular intervals throughout the day. Psychological factors involve conditioned signals or “triggers” for tobacco use, such as smoking after a meal or when feeling anxious.
When a person stops using tobacco, nicotine levels in the brain drop, triggering processes that contribute to the cycle of cravings and urges that maintains addiction. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and fatigue. These symptoms usually stop within a couple of weeks, but some people continue to have problems concentrating or experience strong nicotine cravings weeks or months after quitting.
Betel nut
According to the Journal of Addiction [4,] and Addiction Biology [5], Betel nut, the seed of the areca palm, is a popular stimulant used by millions of people worldwide. However, prolonged use of betel nut can lead to addiction due to its psychoactive effects and the presence of the chemical arecoline.
In small doses, betel nut can create a sense of euphoria, and alertness, and even function as an antidepressant. These effects are likely due to the nut’s natural alkaloids, which release adrenaline. The appeal of these positive feelings encourages users to continue chewing betel nut, leading to addiction over time.
Research has shown that the active ingredient in betel nut, arecoline, acts on the same receptor proteins in the brain as nicotine. This suggests that prescription drugs used to treat nicotine addiction, such as Chantix, could potentially be effective against betel nut addiction as well.
Betel nut users who try to quit often experience withdrawal symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety, irritability, reduced concentration, reduced energy, sleep disturbances, and increased appetite.
Ma huang
Ma huang, also known as ephedra, contains the active ingredient ephedrine, which is an amphetamine-like stimulant. Ephedrine in Ma huang acts as a stimulant[6], triggering the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain .
This creates a sense of increased energy, focus, and euphoria – effects that can be highly addictive. With repeated use, the brain becomes desensitized to ephedrine, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects .
Abruptly stopping Ma huang use can lead to withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, depression, and cravings, further reinforcing the addictive cycle. Ephedrine in Ma huang also constricts blood vessels and increases heart rate and blood pressure[7] . This can lead to serious cardiovascular events like stroke, heart attack, and sudden death, especially with high or prolonged use
Aerated drinks
Aerated drinks, soda water, soft drinks, fizzy drinks, and carbonated drinks are synonyms. They are beverages that contain dissolved carbon dioxide in water with added sugar and flavors. These drinks have been shown by research to have numerous negative health effects when consumed regularly[8].
Aerated drinks, particularly those with high sugar content, can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward.
Many aerated drinks contain caffeine, a stimulant that accelerates cognitive functions and activates dopamine-related reward pathways. Caffeine can also lead to dependence, as individuals may rely on it to boost alertness and combat withdrawal symptoms like headaches and poor focus when deprived of it.
The fizz in aerated drinks adds a hint of acidity that, combined with sugar, enhances the rewarding sensation.
Regular consumption of aerated drinks has been linked to various health conditions, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, kidney diseases, poor dental and skin health. These health problems can further reinforce the addictive nature of these drinks, as individuals may turn to them for comfort or to alleviate symptoms.
When individuals try to quit drinking aerated drinks, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. To learn more about drinks, don’t miss #1 Reason You Feel Sleepy After Drinking Soda or Fizzy Drink
Caffeine and xanthine
Caffeine and xanthine Can be found in tea or coffee. High doses of these substances become harmful to humans[9]. Therefore to avoid related health problems health experts recommended maximum consumption of five cups a day.
Mixed drug reactions
Asthma, hypertension, and heart medication users need to be extremely cautious about how their medications interact with foods high in stimulants because doing so can be fatal. Having worked with patients for years, all doctors understand how challenging it can be to help them overcome their food addictions. Like them, all I can suggest is a sensible middle ground. Moderation is at least something you should do if you are unable to overcome your addiction.
How Mixed Drug Reactions Can Cause Addiction
- Mixing different substances, such as alcohol and stimulants, can produce a more intense “high” or euphoric effect than using either drug alone.
- This heightened reward response in the brain’s pleasure and motivation centers can reinforce the addictive behavior, making the person more likely to continue seeking out and using the drug combination.
- Using multiple substances together can put extra strain on the brain’s natural chemistry, leading to increased dependence on those substances to function normally.
- Withdrawal from one substance may not relieve the dependence on another, trapping the person in a cycle of continued use to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- The combined effects of different drugs can impair a person’s judgment, self-control, and ability to make safe decisions.
- This can lead to more risky drug-taking behaviors that further entrench the addiction.
- Combining drugs like stimulants and depressants can mask the unpleasant side effects of each, making it easier to consume larger, more dangerous amounts. This can accelerate the development of tolerance and dependence.
Last Updated on July 16, 2024 by shalw
