Burgers are as addictive as drugs

The Sunday Times (U.K.) ^ | 07/14/03 | Jonathan Leake and Andrew Porter

[Pokey78]

SCIENTISTS have discovered that high doses of fat and sugar in fast and processed foods can be as addictive as nicotine — and even hard drugs. The research found that foods which are high in fat and sugar can cause significant changes in brain biochemistry similar to those from drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Once hooked, the researchers say, many people find it almost impossible to switch back to a healthy diet, often leading to obesity.

The evidence is to be taken up by lawyers preparing multi-million-pound claims from people who allege that their “addiction” to fast foods has damaged their health.

They say that the new research undermines the claims of companies such as McDonald’s and KFC that the decision to eat their products is down to “personal responsibility”.

The addictive nature of fatty foods has been established by researchers at Rockefeller University in New York who found that regularly eating the products can quickly reconfigure the body’s hormonal system to want yet more fat.

They also found that early exposure to fatty food could influence children’s choices so that they would always seek a similar diet, increasing the likelihood of obesity in later life.

In another study, to be published shortly, Professor Ann Kelley, a neuroscientist, and Matthew Will, of the University of Wisconsin, traced the biochemical changes in the brains of rats fed different diets.

Those given a high-fat diet became hooked and if the fat was taken away, displayed symptoms similar to those of a drug addict deprived of his or her fix. Fat rats also suffered changes in brain development.

“The research suggests that a high-fat diet alters brain biochemistry with effects similar to those of powerful opiates such as morphine,” said Will.

The daily recommended intake of energy for an adult man is about 2,300 calories, of which no more than 35% should come from fat and 11% from added sugars. Women should eat about 1,800 calories a day.

However, a meal at a fast food outlet — burger, chips, drink and dessert — can deliver almost all of an adult man’s recommended daily calories in a single sitting. For example, a McDonald’s quarter pounder with cheese contains 516 calories. A large portion of french fries adds another 412, and an accompanying large milk shake another 500 calories — while a chocolate doughnut or dessert gives a further 379.

The total is more than 1,800 calories, most of it coming from fat and sugar. By comparison, a leg of chicken with boiled potatoes and peas plus an apple contain about 800 calories, with a relatively small proportion comprising fat or sugar.

Some nutritionists say that it is unfair to blame just fast food firms for surging obesity when 85% of people’s food comes from supermarkets. Such stores promote processed foods with high levels of fat and sugar, along with snacks such as crisps, ice cream and chocolate, because they offer high profit margins.

Scientists at the food companies Nestlé and Unilever have also been investigating how snack foods make people binge eat. “We have projects currently running to investi- gate this,” a spokesman for Nestle said.

A typical snack such as a standard 34 gram packet of crisps can comprise 33% fat, have high levels of salt and provide 180-200 calories, more than 10% of a child’s daily needs. In recent years firms have competed by offering ever larger packets.

The new research will be featured in a BBC2 television programme, Big Mac Under Attack, to be shown on Tuesday. It suggests that high-fat and high-sugar diets can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance that would normally prompt people to stop eating.

John F Banzhaf III, professor of law at the George Washington University law school and who led America’s anti- tobacco litigation, said that the findings left companies selling food high in fat and sugar “deeply vulnerable”. He has written to six of the world’s largest fast food companies warning them of litigation.

“Most of these companies sell this food without any nutritional information, labelling or warnings. A product that is both dangerous and addictive is very difficult to defend,” said Banzhaf.

Professor Gary Slapper, director of the Open University law programme, said he believed that the first British legal actions over obesity were imminent. “There is an obligation to make risks clear to consumers and failure to do so makes food companies liable,” he said.

In France, fears of a consumer backlash have prompted McDonald’s to publish nutritional advice that inactive children should not eat its meals more than once a week.

[DannyTN]

They always blame the fat, but it's the sugar that is addicting. It's the sugar that causes the insulin cycle requiring the next fix.

Fat is good, most antioxident vitamins are fat soluable. Without enough fat intake you become malnourished.

[DannyTN]

That gives a whole new meaning to "fast" food.

[willyboyishere]

"scuse me....I gotta go to Harlem, some guy's selling
White Castle sliders on 133rd and Lexington.

[TLI]

Sometimes I feel like if I didn't have food, I would die. I'm glad to see that other people are awaking to the dangers. I've spent my entire life putting food in myself two, usually three, times a day. If it will help others save themselves from this terrible addiction, I will gladly take their food.

YOU TOO ?!?! I am amazed, no... SHOCKED! We should apply for a grant and bring this to the attention of the public. No, wait, that's been done..

Perhaps we should start a support group. No wait, that's been done.

"Shoot the lawers?" Well.... that hasn't actually been tried yet...

[NativeTxn]

I'm not addicted to Big Macs but I'm totally addicted to Starbucks!! I might as well be addicted to drugs considering how much money I spend there!! Love those Grande Lattes!!

[yankeedame]

Burgers are as addictive as drugs

In other breaking news, researchers have discovered that bland, boring, and tasteless food is nowhere near as addictive as burgers or drugs. Scientists indicate that more research and more money will be needed to confirm the findings, however.
================================

Righto! So until then it's boiled fish and rice for everyone.

[Mr. K]

Tobacco companies were known to be huge republican campaign donors. Don't let anyone tell you there was any other reason for dems to be going after them.

Who does McD's support? Is this payback or more democrap horsesh$t...?

[SamAdams76]

I have a whole room in my house dedicated to the storage and preparation of food.

You think that's bad? Well I've also got two rooms in my house dedicated to the disposal of it.

[lawdude]

I am getting so damned tired of one 'study group' or another making these totally assinine pronouncements! Firstly, they are BULLS**T and done only to further some idiot's agenda. The facts are selective and data chosen to fit the goal.

Even if we live longer, the extra years are tagged on at the end! That is, we live an extra 3 years (say, from 80 to 83). Of course, we have been in an alzheimers coma since age 77. All this has acomplished it to cost our family, or the taxpayer, an additional $200,000.

[A_perfect_lady]

Yep. You know, it's funny, I was contemplating this back in 1999, watching them go after tobacco companies. I was trying to predict whom they'd try to destroy next. My prediction was sugar, and I wasn't far off. I'm trying to guess what the next one will be. Coffee farmers ... maybe.... or will they go after WalMart?

[tiamat]

LOL!

Is there a 12 Step program?

tia

[breakem]

lol!

[TheSpottedOwl]

The total is more than 1,800 calories, most of it coming from fat and sugar. By comparison, a leg of chicken with boiled potatoes and peas plus an apple contain about 800 calories, with a relatively small proportion comprising fat or sugar.

I'd like to see Emeril Lagasse's face if he read this article. Chicken legs and boiled potatoes? An apple for dessert? Yuck!!!!!

[TheSpottedOwl]

Mmmmm, In N' Out!

[TheSpottedOwl]

Is that the burger named after Bubba?

No, but there is a fast food place called Rally's, and they have the "Big Buford" burger. I'd say that's pretty close :)

[Freedom4US]

Bottom feeding, scum sucking lawsuit attorney types, they just gotta be more dangerous than heroin. "Food is addictive".

What I want to know, what the hell happened in this country. Did people and corporations get sued over chickens^%t in 1775? 1875? 1935? I highly doubt it.

What happened in the last 25 to 50 years that has caused the entire social order from top to bottom, to be in literal terror from getting sued? The one thing that has always impressed me about this country, economically, is that we take on the rest of the world with one hand, or both hands, tied behind our back - between the government and lawyers, it's truly amazing anyone can either start or stay in business or remain profitable.

[BushCountry]

For those of you who watch what you eat...Here's the final word on nutrition and health.

It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting medical studies:

1. The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.

3. The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.

4. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than the Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

[lawdude]

"Burgers are as addictive as drugs "

That is nothing more than a friggin LIE. I have what Doctors call an addictive personality. I have been addicted to alcohol and nicotine. Addictive means that anyone who uses the substance MUST crave more and more as it is ingested.

I can say for a scientific, I eat fewer burgers now than I did 5 years ago.

WHAT A CROCK!

These stories must be called what they are. LIES!

[Old Professer]

In France, fears of a consumer backlash have prompted McDonald’s to publish nutritional advice that inactive children should not eat its meals more than once a week.

Here in America, inactive people are usually given a test for vital signs before we waste food on them.

[brewcrew]

I'm ashamed to admit this, but I have been a food addict my entire life. If I don't have food every few hours, my stomach growls, I feel a deep hunger for a "fix"... it is a craving I cannot shake.

I probably spend $100 a week on my food habit. I have a whole room in my house dedicated to the storage and preparation of food. I developed this in childhood, and I have never been able to let it go.

Sometimes I feel like if I didn't have food, I would die. I'm glad to see that other people are awaking to the dangers. I've spent my entire life putting food in myself two, usually three, times a day. If it will help others save themselves from this terrible addiction, I will gladly take their food.

That's it, Nick. Now you've done it. We need Congress to enact a seven-day waiting period for food.