Nutrition Diva Can we really be addicted to food? (With Dr. David Kessler)
Jun 4, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of food addiction with insights from a former FDA commissioner. Discover how our brains are wired to crave energy-dense foods as a survival tactic. Explore the science behind highly palatable foods and their addictive qualities, backed by studies on animal behavior. The podcast discusses how past experiences and environmental cues trigger cravings, and it challenges the oversimplification of food addiction compared to traditional chemical dependencies. The conversation also teases out the controversies surrounding food addiction in today's society.
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Addiction and Food Reward Circuits
- Addiction means compulsive pursuit despite harm and loss of control.
- Food addiction might exist as the brain’s reward circuits are hijacked similarly by some foods.
Kessler’s Personal Addiction Insight
- David Kessler recognized his weight regain as relapse tied to addiction circuits.
- He identified cues, craving, and relapse as components of food addiction.
Engineered Foods Hijack Brain
- Our environment is saturated with food engineered to hijack brain rewards.
- Fat, salt, and sugar combinations drive addiction-like food behaviors.
