Food addiction is rampant in our society. And the current economic climate and fears of joblessness and homelessness are driving our gluttony. Depression and worry often lead to comfort eating. Research by Judith Wurtman, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), studied how certain foods alter mood by influencing the level of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Certain foods, particularly high carbohydrate foods, increase serotonin production in the brain. Eating these high carb foods, like ice cream, candy, baked goods, potatoes, pasta, and fast foods, produce a calming, anxiety-reducing effect.
This is the chief reason people overeat these high calorie foods. One study showed that over time, binge eaters needed a progressively higher amount of calories to get the same brain high. Despite the reward of a positive mood, the drawback is body fat accumulation. For more including portion distortion and serving size information, and to see the videos click here.
