The brain's love of ultra-processed "food"

“Industrially produced foods containing ingredients not available in home kitchens," or ultra-processed foods (UPFs), can affect the human brain in the same ways heroin and nicotine do, according to an analysis of 281 studies in 36 countries.

By combining fat with refined carbohydrates (sugar), a spike in dopamine lights up the brain. The ensuing temporary "high" has 14% of adults and 12% of children exhibiting symptoms of addiction to UPFs, maintaining high-profit margins for the food producers.

While food addiction isn't an official diagnosis yet, drugs are being considered to treat the symptoms, along with 12-step addiction models.

Countries have taken steps to curb UPF consumption, including taxes on soda and warning labels on sugary foods, much like cigarette packs. At this point, the US isn't one of those forward-thinking countries.
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/oct/12/its-like-trying-to-quit-smo...