Belinda Lennerz1, Jochen K Lennerz2. 1. Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Endocrinology & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; belinda.lennerz@childrens.harvard.edu. 2. Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Pathology, Center for Integrated Diagnostics & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Treatment success in obesity remains low, and recently food addiction has been delineated as an underlying etiologic factor with therapeutic relevance. Specifically, current treatment focuses on reduced food intake and increase of physical activity, whereas interventions for addiction encompass behavioral therapy, abstinence, and environmental interventions such as taxation, restrictions on advertising, and regulation of school menus. CONTENT: Here, we reviewed the pertinent literature on food addiction with a specific focus on the role of high-glycemic-index carbohydrates in triggering addictive symptoms. Three lines of evidence support the concept of food addiction: (a) behavioral responses to certain foods are similar to substances of abuse; (b) food intake regulation and addiction rely on similar neurobiological circuits; (c) individuals suffering from obesity or addiction show similar neurochemical- and brain activation patterns.High-glycemic-index carbohydrates elicit a rapid shift in blood glucose and insulin levels, akin to the pharmacokinetics of addictive substances. Similar to drugs of abuse, glucose and insulin signal to the mesolimbic system to modify dopamine concentration. Sugar elicits addiction-like craving, and self-reported problem foods are rich in high-glycemic-index carbohydrates. These properties make high-glycemic-index carbohydrates plausible triggers for food addiction. SUMMARY: We argue that food addiction is a plausible etiological factor contributing to the heterogeneous condition and phenotype of obesity. In at least a subset of vulnerable individuals, high-glycemic-index carbohydrates trigger addiction-like neurochemical and behavioral responses.
BACKGROUND: Treatment success in obesity remains low, and recently food addiction has been delineated as an underlying etiologic factor with therapeutic relevance. Specifically, current treatment focuses on reduced food intake and increase of physical activity, whereas interventions for addiction encompass behavioral therapy, abstinence, and environmental interventions such as taxation, restrictions on advertising, and regulation of school menus. CONTENT: Here, we reviewed the pertinent literature on food addiction with a specific focus on the role of high-glycemic-index carbohydrates in triggering addictive symptoms. Three lines of evidence support the concept of food addiction: (a) behavioral responses to certain foods are similar to substances of abuse; (b) food intake regulation and addiction rely on similar neurobiological circuits; (c) individuals suffering from obesity or addiction show similar neurochemical- and brain activation patterns.High-glycemic-index carbohydrates elicit a rapid shift in blood glucose and insulin levels, akin to the pharmacokinetics of addictive substances. Similar to drugs of abuse, glucose and insulin signal to the mesolimbic system to modify dopamine concentration. Sugar elicits addiction-like craving, and self-reported problem foods are rich in high-glycemic-index carbohydrates. These properties make high-glycemic-index carbohydrates plausible triggers for food addiction. SUMMARY: We argue that food addiction is a plausible etiological factor contributing to the heterogeneous condition and phenotype of obesity. In at least a subset of vulnerable individuals, high-glycemic-index carbohydrates trigger addiction-like neurochemical and behavioral responses.
Authors: C Colantuoni; J Schwenker; J McCarthy; P Rada; B Ladenheim; J L Cadet; G J Schwartz; T H Moran; B G Hoebel Journal: Neuroreport Date: 2001-11-16 Impact factor: 1.837
Authors: I García-García; A Horstmann; M A Jurado; M Garolera; S J Chaudhry; D S Margulies; A Villringer; J Neumann Journal: Obes Rev Date: 2014-09-29 Impact factor: 9.213
Authors: Karen Anthony; Laurence J Reed; Joel T Dunn; Emma Bingham; David Hopkins; Paul K Marsden; Stephanie A Amiel Journal: Diabetes Date: 2006-11 Impact factor: 9.461
Authors: Jia Wu; Camila Pierart; Tara M Chaplin; Rebecca E Hommer; Linda C Mayes; Michael J Crowley Journal: Appetite Date: 2020-08-06 Impact factor: 3.868
Authors: Emma T Schiestl; Julia M Rios; Lindsey Parnarouskis; Jenna R Cummings; Ashley N Gearhardt Journal: Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry Date: 2020-10-28 Impact factor: 5.067
Authors: Laura M Holsen; W Scott Hoge; Belinda S Lennerz; Hilâl Cerit; Taryn Hye; Priyanka Moondra; Jill M Goldstein; Cara B Ebbeling; David S Ludwig Journal: J Nutr Date: 2021-08-07 Impact factor: 4.687
Authors: Ana I Castro; Diego Gomez-Arbelaez; Ana B Crujeiras; Roser Granero; Zaida Aguera; Susana Jimenez-Murcia; Ignacio Sajoux; Patricio Lopez-Jaramillo; Fernando Fernandez-Aranda; Felipe F Casanueva Journal: Nutrients Date: 2018-09-21 Impact factor: 5.717