Effects of addiction it can be obtained after we eat certain foods, such as drug addiction and smoking. Like dependence on both substances, addiction to food will cause effect 'collecting.'
Based on research conducted by a team from Children's Hospital Boston in the U.S., foods that have a high glycemic index, such as white bread, rice, or potatoes, has the potential to cause addiction.
Consume too many foods with a high glycemic index values can lead to excessive hunger and stimulates the brain areas associated with reward and addiction.
Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition proved, dopamine regulated food intake. Dopamine is a hormone produced which is a part of the brain's pleasure center.
"The brain is also associated with addiction and substance abuse. This of course raises the question, whether the food can also lead to addiction, "said study leader, Dr. David Ludwig.
The study used 12 men who were obese as respondents. The respondents consuming the test meal was designed as a milkshake.
There are two types of milkshakes are used. Both types milksake have calories, flavors, and sweeteners same. The difference is the milkshake type 1 can be digested quickly and high Glycemic index. While milkshake type 2 digested with the release of sugar for longer.
The researchers also measured the level of glucose in the blood and hunger. Using MRI, researchers performed brain scans to examine activity over a period of 4 hours after eating. This brain activity would affect eating habits at a later time.
The result, which consumes milkshake with a high glycemic index increase blood sugar. This increase followed a sharp decline 4 hours later while lowering blood sugar associated with the onset of excessive hunger. Consequently, patients should be eating to cover his hunger.
Decrease in blood sugar also intensify the activation of the nucleus accumbens, the brain areas that define addictive behavior.
Ludwig said, the results of this study can serve as an input for setting dietary obese patients. Reduce foods with a high glycemic index will help reduce appetite.
Even so, this research still must be followed. Additional research is expected to inform clinicians about food addiction.