We all know that bacon is tasty, but apparently it is also addictive now. A new study by the Scripps Research Institute shows that fatty foods have an addictive quality and say it's along the same lines as heroine and cocaine. These fatty foods stimulate the pleasure center of the brain so someone who overindulges on a regular basis will become accustomed to the stimulation and require a greater quantity of fatty foods to get the same feeling. In the study, rats that were allowed to indulge in fatty foods not only became obese but they also continued to gorge themselves even when shocked (Kirstie Alley has also exhibited the same behavior). The rats on a normal diet avoided the fatty foods when they realized they would be shocked if they went near it. No word yet on whether or not the fat rats would literally kill a guy for a piece of pie.
Essentially this study proves that there is more to overeating than just lack of willpower and a desire to become the world's largest woman. The problem I have with this is that one only becomes addicted after overindulging. So, at some point you make the decision whether consciously or unconsciously to eat more than you should and to continue to do so long enough to become addicted. Someone doesn't become addicted to heroine if they haven't had heroine before or even if they only tried it once or twice. The only exception I know of being Ozzy Osbourne who, rumor has it, was born with a spoon in his hand and immediately asked for a lighter and a live bat. If you start shooting up regularly, you shouldn't be surprised when you become addicted. Of course I realize that there are a multitude of reasons that people end up falling into the over-eating trap; stress, anxiety, boredom, ignorance, growing up a child star, and a slew of other factors can cause you to overindulge. So what happens once you are addicted? Is there no hope?
The article doesn't discuss a solution to the problem other than a brief mention of possibly using prescription drugs to counteract it, because that's what addicts need, drugs. Don't rush off to the methadone clinic yet though. They also mention that these studies on rats may not translate exactly the same to humans. However since humans and rats act pretty much the same it's safe to assume the results are legit. This study would explain why so many people have trouble losing weight and keeping it off. They can usually stay away for a while, but eventually are lured back in by the siren song of bacon (bacon = harpy). Let's just hope this and future studies aren't used as an excuse by those who wish to overeat, but rather as a deterrent for the next generation of potential over-eaters.
And now for a little fun at the expense of childhood obesity.....
Without a doubt Sean Astin can now do the truffle shuffle as well. Too much hobbit food.
Why am I writing so many posts about food lately? Probably because, with more free time on my hands, I have to be more aware of how much I eat and that I don't eat out of boredom. If writing about food keeps me from eating it then that's what I'll do.
2 comments:
I believe the aspects missing in the people who are "addicted" to fatty foods are Will Power and Self Respect.
Addiction to fatty foods is totally a choice in my book, just like addiction to heroin. You did it to yourself.
Also, bacon is fabulous.
Defintately more self respect than anything. At some point in the past, maybe on the story about the woman that was trying to become the first land based whale, I talked about people that eat because they want to. They feel that that is who they are and they don't care what others think. Then there's that group out there that claim that obesity is not proven to have adverse effects on their health. That's lfelong ignorance there, and no different than someone saying that cigarettes are not addictive or cause cancer.
Post a Comment