A recent study conducted by scientists from Brazil, Spain, and the US has found that snacks and sweets can trigger cravings similar to those caused by alcohol and cigarettes.
The findings, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), raise concerns about the addictive nature of processed junk food and its impact on public health, particularly in countries where obesity and related diseases like diabetes are on the rise.
The researchers observed that the reported prevalence of addiction to junk food is comparable to that of alcohol and tobacco. In fact, it appears to surpass addiction rates, especially among individuals classified as obese or binge-eaters.
The study also highlighted an unprecedented level of implied junk food addiction in children, who are typically too young to purchase alcohol or cigarettes legally.
Junk food consumption seems to trigger a dopamine rush similar to the effects of nicotine and alcohol, intensifying cravings and withdrawal symptoms in individuals with addiction tendencies.
Foods high in refined carbohydrates or added fats, such as sweets and salty snacks, were identified as particularly problematic based on the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS), which includes 11 symptom criteria for substance use disorder.
Earlier research in 2023 estimated that approximately 1 in 5 Britons were addicted to junk food, and another study from Harvard University suggested that women may be more prone to snack addiction than men.
These findings shed light on the need to address the addictive potential of processed snacks and its implications for public health.
