Refined Carbohydrates May Trigger Food Addiction
Consumption of a meal that has a high glycemic index (GI) appears to stimulate key brain regions related to craving and reward, a finding that supports the controversial hypothesis of food addiction, new research suggests.
High glycemic index foods are those that raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a high GI are those which are rapidly digested and absorbed and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods, by virtue of their slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and have proven benefits for health. Low GI diets have been shown to improve both glucose and lipid levels in people with diabetes (type 1 and type 2). They have benefits for weight control because they help control appetite and delay hunger. Low GI diets also reduce insulin levels and insulin resistance.
Investigators from Boston Children’s Hospital in Massachusetts found that compared with consumption of a low-GI meal, a meal high in refined carbohydrates decreased plasma glucose, increased hunger, and selectively stimulated brain regions 4 hours after eating — a critical time point that influences eating behavior at the next meal.
Dr. Lane’s take on this: Food that is highly processed and quickly digested makes your brain want more of that same food and creates a craving (just like a craving or addiction for a drug or alcohol). This is a problem for those who suffer from obesity.
Am J Clin Nutr. Published online June 26, 2013. Abstract
via Blogger http://chiropractic-lane.blogspot.com/2013/07/refined-carbohydrates-may-trigger-food_29.html
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