Junk Food Now Considered An Addiction And Mental Illness
Junk food addiction is a topic that’s gaining a lot of attention from experts. These experts are giving our junk food cravings a name, “ultra-processed food use disorder.” It is not just about what draws us to these foods making them irresistible, studies suggest they are intentionally designed to be addictive. Because junk food has become an addiction like a drug, experts are wondering whether the craving for these foods qualifies as a genuine mental illness.
I never thought of my craving for crunchy, salty, junk food as a mental illness, and honestly I don’t think it is. But, Ashley Gearhardt is a prominent researcher in the field of food addiction and she seems to believe it qualifies as a mental illness. Symptoms of this disorder include intense cravings, difficulty cutting down consumption, and withdrawal symptoms like irritability and agitation when attempting to reduce intake. Reaching for foods while watching tv like chips, cereals, and packaged snacks comes with some serious implications .
It seems it’s not just our love handles are not the main concern here. Evidence suggests that ultra-processed foods can wreak havoc on our mental faculties as well. Research indicates that these foods may contribute to mood disorders, sleep disturbances, learning impairments, and cognitive decline. Diets high in ultra-processed foods are associated with increased risks of depression, anxiety, and sleep problems. That information has me thinking about paying more attention to what kind of food I consume.
The addictive nature of these foods can be attributed to their impact on the brain’s reward system. We get pleasure and satisfaction from eating these foods. Much like addictive drugs, consuming ultra-processed foods can lead us to wanting to consume more of it. Some of us have an inability to stop eating them.
The way these foods are produced is what causes their addictiveness. Processing techniques often break down the cellular structure of ingredients, stripping them of fiber and water to make them easier to chew and digest. According to the New York Post, this process results in quicker digestion and a rapid release of components into the brain which intensifies the addictive properties of these foods. The combination of high levels of both fat and carbs further contributes to their addictive nature.
Some may argue that not all ultra-processed foods are bad. It’s up to you to to do what you want with this information. As for me, the potential dangers of eating these foods will have me making sure when I reach for a bag of potato chips, I don’t consume it in excess. Chocolate, ice cream, french fries, pizza, and chips are among the top foods reported to be eaten in an addictive manner.
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