Do you find it hard to resist chocolate bars, chips and fries in the supermarket? If so, you are not alone. Many people have a preference for foods that are high in fat and sugar, even though they know they are unhealthy. But why do we like these foods so much? And how does this preference develop in our brain?
A study by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research and Yale University has shed some light on these questions. The study found that eating junk food regularly changes the way our brain responds to these foods, making us more likely to crave them in the future.
The Experiment
The researchers conducted an experiment with two groups of volunteers. One group was given a small pudding with a lot of fat and sugar per day for eight weeks, in addition to their normal diet. The other group received a pudding with the same number of calories but less fat. The researchers measured the brain activity of the volunteers before and during the eight weeks.
The Results
The results showed that the brain’s response to junk food was greatly increased in the group that ate the high-fat and high-sugar pudding after eight weeks. This response was especially strong in the dopaminergic system, the region in the brain responsible for motivation and reward. This means that the brain learned to associate junk food with pleasure and reward, and subconsciously preferred it over other foods.
The Implications
The researchers noted that the changes in the brain did not depend on weight gain or changes in blood values, such as blood sugar or cholesterol. This suggests that even small amounts of junk food can have an impact on our brain and behavior. The researchers also warned that these changes in the brain may not be easy to reverse, as they are meant to help us remember what we learned.
What Can We Do?
The study highlights the importance of being aware of what we eat and how it affects our brain and health. While it may be tempting to indulge in junk food once in a while, we should try to limit our intake and choose healthier alternatives. By doing so, we can prevent our brain from being hijacked by junk food and keep our appetite under control.
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