AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Scientists reviewed evidence showing compulsive food consumption has similar underlying brain mechanisms that result in drug dependence, and said heavily processed carbohydrates have the most potential to cause addiction.
In a study published in the journal Medical Hypotheses, lead researcher Simon Thornley of the Auckland Regional Public Health Service, said foods with a high glycemic index (GI) caused blood-sugar levels to spike suddenly, and the sugar rush stimulates the same areas of the brain associated with addiction to nicotine and other drugs. Low-GI foods produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and a feeling of contentment and satiety. He said the theory, if proven, had important public health implications.
Thornley said evidence showed people who binged on high-carb foods experienced symptoms of addiction and suffered withdrawal if they went cold turkey. Like those addicted to cocaine and alcohol, people with a higher body mass index had fewer brain pleasure receptors.
Carb addicts may 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," Thornley said.
