Do you really know? What are the most addictive foods?
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Dec 6, 2025 Discover why your favorite foods, like pizza and chocolate, can be so hard to resist! High sugar, fat, and salt content trigger cravings by boosting dopamine levels, much like nicotine. Learn how dairy, particularly cheese, releases compounds that heighten addiction-like sensations. Dive into the fine line between indulgence and true addiction, while questioning if 'food addiction' is a valid term. Find out what steps to take if you feel out of control, including seeking help from nutritionists and specialists.
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Processed Foods Hijack Your Reward System
- Highly processed foods high in sugar, fat, or salt trigger strong dopamine surges that drive repeated eating.
- The taste, texture, and composition activate reward circuits so we crave instant pleasure rather than eating from hunger.
Studies Link Food And Drug Reward Circuits
- Two U.S. studies found fatty or very sugary foods stimulate the same brain areas as some hard drugs.
- Cravings for ice cream, hamburgers, soda or cookies originate in the brain rather than the stomach.
Cheese Releases Opioid-Like Peptides
- Cheese contains casein which during digestion releases casomorphins with opioid-like effects.
- These digestion-derived peptides can contribute to addictive-like eating of dairy products.