Cravings for Ice Cream Similar to Those of Drug Addicts, Study Finds
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(EUGENE, Ore.) — Cravings for ice cream can be just as strong to those urges experienced by drug addicts, according to a new study.
Research published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who regularly eat ice cream needed more and more of the cold stuff to get the same “high.” This effect is similar to those who use cocaine and other class-A drugs.
More than 150 teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16 took part in the study, which required them to scarf down chocolate milkshakes before being interviewed about eating habits and cravings. Teens also had their brains scanned while looking at ice cream.
This new research supports the previous claim that junk food can become addictive. According to Oregon Research Institute’s Dr. Kyle Burger, a co-author of the study, the brain responds in a certain pattern to high fat and sugar.
“This down-regulation pattern is seen with frequent drug use, where the more an individual uses the drug, the less reward they receive for using it. This tolerance is thought to increase use, or eating, because the individual [is] trying to achieve the previous level of satisfaction,” Dr. Burger told The Telegraph.
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