Predictably, when subjects drank the high-glycemic shakes, their blood sugar levels rose more quickly, and several hours later had dipped lower than when they drank the low-glycemic version. They also reported feeling hungrier.
But researchers also noticed substantially more activity in the parts of the brain that regulate reward and craving, the same areas activated in addicts, four hours after the men drank the high-glycemic shakes.
Lead study author Dr. David Ludwig, director of the obesity research center at Boston Children’s Hospital, said the brain activity may suggest why some people get stuck in a cycle of reaching for — and overeating — sugary, starchy foods.
“Beyond reward and craving, this part of the brain is also linked to substance abuse and dependence, which raises the question as to whether certain foods might be addictive,” Ludwig said in a statement.
http://www.lowcarbdietnews.com/your-brain-on-carbs-study-suggests-how-sugary-starchy-foods-may-lead-to-addiction/
Makes sense to me, and reminds me of this archived three part post which shows how carb addiction may be understood as being similar to cigarette addiction.
http://fireofthegodsfitness.blogspot.com/2010/10/model-for-sugarcarb-addiction.html
To me, the good news about this model is that it helps make sense of out of control behavior, and provides a way to understand how to break the addiction cycle and restore control.
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