A new study was published in the journal, Neuropsychopharmacology found that the saturated fats had a similar effect on our brains as drugs. The more saturated fat we eat, the less we enjoy it…and the more we crave it in order to get the same “high.”

The scientists studied rats which are used for experimentation because their genetic, biological and behavior characteristics resemble those of humans. One group was fed a low-fat diet with equal amounts of monounsaturated fat derived from palm oil and the third was a diet high in saturated fat. Other types of fat were in the same terms of amounts of sugar, protein, overall fat content and calories. After the 8-week period, the rats has similar body weights but researchers found rats on the saturated fat diet had less production of the molecule dopamine.

Researchers deemed that our brain responds in a similar way to saturated fat and drugs since both trigger the release of dopamine in our bodies. Our systems get used to the response and we become less sensitive to its effects. ​

Sweet, Savory and In Between

Overall, whether sweet or savory, chocolate or chips, people crave foods high in fat and calories. But why?  Why do we crave foods when we aren’t even hungry?  The science is still in its infancy, but cravings, it is thought, evolved as a tool for survival when food was not as easy to come by.  At a time when humans were still hunting and gathering, craving high calorie, energy dense food was a way to ensure we stayed nourished until our next meal.  This may have been a useful tool in the past, but wanting fattening food today more often translates to obesity rather than survival. 

Where Do Cravings Come From?

Cravings then, unlike hunger, are not driven by survival but by some other force.   That force is a combination of body, brain,and chemicals triggering these cravings. You can think of hunger as 2 different things.  Stomach hunger and mind hunger.  Stomach hunger is when you are actually physically hungry and in need of nourishment. Mind hunger is that voice in your head telling you that you absolutely NEED that double stuffed deep-fried cronut with a side of disco fries at 4am.  

Why We Crave

So, besides vestiges from the past, why do we crave items high in fat and calories instead of celery sticks and spinach leaves? Interestingly, our cravings are much like drug addictions. Foods we crave act like narcotics in that the way our brain interpretsthe consumption of fatty, sugary foods is pleasure and euphoria.  

No wonder we want more, that cupcake is getting us high.  In all seriousness, these foods release chemicals called opioids into our bloodstream.  The food opioids bind to receptors in our brains, release dopamine and give us that addictive food high.The brain-reward we get from fulfilling our craving is most likely what drives us to crave the same things again and again, knowing it will be satisfying.  Unfortunately this satisfaction, does nothing to keep our waistlines in check.