High-glycemic
carbohydrates, the kind found in highly processed foods like white bread, white
rice and refined sugar, trigger activity in the brain's reward centers in a
different way than low-glycemic carbs, researchers from Boston Children's
Hospital found.
Are sugary, starchy foods like crack to the brain?
Are sugary, starchy foods like crack to the brain?
A new study published in The American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition found that the brain responds differently to some types of
carbohydrates than others — and some sugary foods trigger the same reward
mechanisms as drug and alcohol addiction.
In the study, researchers observed the brain activity of
12 overweight or obese men between the ages of 18 and 35 in the hours after
they consumed milkshake meals. The milkshakes were identical in taste as well
as calories, nutrients and carbohydrates, but one set of shakes was made with
high-glycemic carbs, such as the kind found in white bread, white rice and
processed sweets, that spike blood sugar more quickly. The other set contained
low-glycemic carbs such as those found in whole wheat bread and brown rice that
cause a more gradual rise in blood sugar.
Predictably, when subjects drank the high-glycemic shakes,
their blood sugar levels rose more quickly, and several hours later had dipped
lower than when they drank the low-glycemic version. They also reported feeling
hungrier.
But researchers also noticed substantially more activity
in the parts of the brain that regulate reward and craving, the same areas
activated in addicts, four hours after the men drank the high-glycemic shakes.
Lead study author Dr. David Ludwig, director of the
obesity research center at Boston Children’s Hospital, said the brain activity
may suggest why some people get stuck in a cycle of reaching for — and
overeating -- sugary, starchy foods.
“Beyond reward and craving, this part of the brain is also
linked to substance abuse and dependence, which raises the question as to
whether certain foods might be addictive,” Ludwig said in a statement.
"Limiting high-glycemic index carbohydrates like
white bread and potatoes could help obese individuals reduce cravings and
control the urge to overeat."
Eating too many high-glycemic foods isn't good for anyone,
but the bigger picture of whether a person can become addicted to food — or to
specific type of food like high-glycemic carbs — is more complicated, said Dr.
Lisa Young, RD, PhD, adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University.
"I wouldn't jump so fast to call it addiction, but
it's possible in a certain subset of people," Young told the Daily News.
"There are other factors you need to look at, at the same time. When some
people eat a cookie they can't stop, but other people can stop. You're dealing
with psychological behavior."
How the body and brain process high-glycemic foods also
depends on how you consume them, she added.
"The glycemic index is complicated," Young said.
"You want to look at, are you eating protein and fat also? A baked potato
scores high on the glycemic index, but if you eat it with salmon it's not going
to have the same effect."
People may consume greater quantities of highly processed
fast foods because many are devoid of the fiber that helps you feel full, Young
said.
"You keep eating and keep eating and don't
necessarily recognize satiation," she said. "These foods could be
addictive — but is it the glycemic content, is it the salt, the fat? Regardless
of what it does, it's not helping you because it's stripped of nutrients."
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/brain-carbs-study-suggests-sugary-foods-lead-addiction-article-1.1384443
Graham
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/brain-carbs-study-suggests-sugary-foods-lead-addiction-article-1.1384443
Graham
3 comments:
After seeing the mental acrobatics carb addicts go through to justify their inability to "just say no" that we see all the time on diabetes forums, this study really comes as no great shock. But great that they're finding scientific proof of what we already know.
Doesn't sugar crave more sugar? You get used to the taste and eat more and more. It is hard for some to break the habit and to "just say no" although we know we must.
Val
I think this explains bonkers bizarre behaviour! Cornflakes are near the top of the GI index.
Besides addling the brain cornflakes make you fat,they're also bad for the heart.
The results were dramatic. Before any of the patients ate, arterial function was essentially the same. After eating, except for the placebo group, all had reduced functioning. Enormous peaks indicating arterial stress were found in the high-glycemic index groups: The cornflakes and sugar group.
Corn Flakes For Breakfast? Think Again!
Graham
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