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Junk food quitters face withdrawal-like symptoms - Futurity
If you plan to try and quit eating junk food, expect to suffer similar withdrawal-type symptoms—at least during the initial week—that addicts experience when they attempt to quit using drugs, according to new research.
The new study is believed to be the first of its kind to evaluate withdrawal symptoms that people go through when they stop eating highly processed foods, such as pastries, French fries, and pizza.
Previous studies have focused on sugar withdrawal among animals and the literature regarding humans offered only anecdotal evidence, says Erica Schulte, the study’s lead author and a psychology doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan.
Researchers agree that the addictive qualities of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol affect the brain similarly and cutting back can lead to negative side effects that can make it difficult to reduce intake. Anxiety, headaches, irritability, and depression are some of the outcomes.
If you plan to try and quit eating junk food, expect to suffer similar withdrawal-type symptoms—at least during the initial week—that addicts experience when they attempt to quit using drugs, according to new research.
The new study is believed to be the first of its kind to evaluate withdrawal symptoms that people go through when they stop eating highly processed foods, such as pastries, French fries, and pizza.
Previous studies have focused on sugar withdrawal among animals and the literature regarding humans offered only anecdotal evidence, says Erica Schulte, the study’s lead author and a psychology doctoral candidate at the University of Michigan.
Researchers agree that the addictive qualities of tobacco, drugs, or alcohol affect the brain similarly and cutting back can lead to negative side effects that can make it difficult to reduce intake. Anxiety, headaches, irritability, and depression are some of the outcomes.