Brain Scans Suggest ‘Food Addiction’ Might Be Real
New brain scan research supports the notion that some people have a food “addiction,” with foods like white bread or potatoes helping to spur their craving to eat.
Researchers used functional (“real time”) MRI to observe the brain activity of 12overweight or obese men during the crucial four hours after they ate a meal, a period that experts say influences eating behavior during the next meal.
The participants’ blood sugar levels and hunger were also measured during this time.
The men’s “meals” were two milkshakes that had the same calories, taste and sweetness. The only difference was that one milkshake contained high-glycemic index carbohydrates and the other had low-glycemic index carbohydrates.