04/25/2022
Despite the fact that sugar intake has gone down in recent years, obesity rates are STILL RISING. Many individuals demonize sugar, blaming it for the obesity epidemic. This concept is explained very well in The Hungry Brain by Dr. Stephan Guyenet.
The truth is that it is NOT JUST sugar. The hyper-palatable combination of sugar and fat (ice-cream, cookies, chocolate, pizza, french fries, donuts, etc) and other combinations of highly processed foods are the foods that reinforce behavior the most. Highly processed foods stimulate strong dopamine release in the brain which in turn will drive you to seek out and consume those foods more. Throughout history our brains have evolved to seek out foods that are the most calorie dense in order to survive. We are now in a time when food scarcity is not something most individuals in the US. We are in an environment with an OVERABUNDANCE of hyper processed and extremely calorie dense foods, but we still have brains that have evolved to survive in a food scarce environment.
Similar to many addictive drugs, food does not become addictive until it has been processed, refined, and concentrated. Virtually everyone's health will be much better off by prioritizing real unprocessed foods.
In addition to Dr. Guyenet, individuals such as all do a great job at laying out these concepts and just as importantly lay out useful strategies that can be used to improve eating habits/behavior.
Let me know if you have any questions!