Navigating through the multifaceted world of processed foods, researchers from various countries including the United States, Brazil, and Spain, are encouraging a global rethinking of how we perceive and manage our consumption of these products.
The details, enveloped with both controversies and acknowledgement of new perspectives, were published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), addressing the oft-debated subject of food addiction, especially in the realm of ultra-processed items.
Can Food Be Addictive?
Ashley Gearhardt, a psychology professor from the University of Michigan and one of the authors, articulates a growing acceptance in the scientific and medical community regarding the legitimacy and clinical significance of food addiction.
But can food truly be addictive? The question isn’t only profound but holds substantial implications for our global health strategy.
Alexandra DiFeliceantonio, from the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, highlights the fundamental necessity of eating, contrasting it with activities like smoking or drinking that can feasibly be ceased.
The crucial question revolves around pinpointing which foods pose a potential risk for addiction and understanding the underlying reasons.
A striking example unfolds through the contrasting carbohydrate to fat ratios of different foods.
For instance, an apple and salmon maintain a distinct dominance of either carbohydrates or fats, while a chocolate bar exhibits a nearly equal ratio of both.
This balance, researchers suggest, could elevate a food’s addictive potential, particularly when we delve into ultra-processed foods, which frequently display a high presence of both carbohydrates and fats.
Processed Foods: A Pervasive yet Overlooked Threat?
This intriguing concept doesn’t operate in isolation. DiFeliceantonio and her colleagues underscore that behaviors revolving around ultra-processed foods, which often boast rich quantities of refined carbohydrates and added fats, might satisfy the criteria for a substance use disorder in certain individuals.
These behaviors encompass diminished control over consumption, formidable cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and persistent usage despite cognizance of ensuing repercussions, such as obesity or deteriorating mental health.
Moreover, this dilemma isn’t restricted by borders. An examination of 281 studies across 36 countries estimated that the potential addiction to ultra-processed foods might be present in 14% of adults and 12% of children.
The challenge emerges as a complex issue when we consider the disparities among geographical regions. Some countries might rely on ultra-processed foods as a vital calorie source.
Also, within affluent nations, factors such as food deserts might impede access to minimally processed alternatives.
From Perception to Policy: Reframing Our Approach
Viewing certain foods through the lens of addiction could sculpt new pathways in multiple spheres, including social justice, clinical care, and public policy.
Instances from various countries illustrate the tangible impact of policy implementations.
For example, policies in Chile and Mexico concerning taxation, labeling, and marketing have been associated with reductions in caloric intake and purchases of foods high in detrimental components like sugar and saturated fats.
Similarly, the United Kingdom observed declines in stroke and coronary artery disease fatalities in association with a salt-reduction program.
In embracing this perspective, the research team, composed of experts from varied fields such as nutrition physiology, food policy, and behavioral addiction, advocates for an enriched understanding and further research into the complex aspects of ultra-processed foods.
This encompasses exploring how these foods’ multifaceted features amalgamate to enhance their addictive potential, discerning which foods might be deemed addictive, and examining variations among different countries and communities.
In a world where ultra-processed foods constitute a staggering 58% of caloric intake in places like the United States, the gaps in our knowledge are not only evident but call for urgent addressing.
Bridging these gaps might pave the way for refined public health messaging, clinical guidelines, and effective strategies to prevent, treat, and manage potential addictions to ultra-processed foods, thereby nurturing a healthier global community.
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The research findings can be found in BMJ.
