How Your Brain Changes When You Eat Junk Food

Junk food has the same effect on our body as a drug or alcohol, as it increases the release of dopamine. It can even cause us dependency

The junk food is a term used to encompass all foods that have high content of fat, sugar and salt, usually associated with fast food. Another characteristic of these products is that they lack the nutrients that the body needs for its proper functioning.

The processed foods usually come in cans or packages are also considered junk food or junk food. Some examples of this are refined carbohydrates, such as bread or pasta. It doesn’t matter if they add the integral word to it . Unfortunately, they are still the same refined foods and their glycemic index is high.

This means that they affect blood sugar levels and cholesterol in the blood. By consuming these products you are consuming an excess of calories that may leave you feeling like you have eaten something appetizing, but it affects your body and your brain in different ways.

What happens in your brain when you eat junk food?

One concern that comes up when talking about junk food is how difficult it is to stop eating it. Also, it has to do with the fact that it is palatable. If you are trying to give up these foods and you cannot, you should know that it is a type of addiction. It is not your fault, it is that these foods have a series of properties that generate immediate well-being and pleasure, but problems in the medium and long term.

The pleasure that this type of food gives us is due to the dopamine that is released when we consume them:

• When eating a salad, the amount of dopamine released is moderate.
• Instead, When you eat junk food, the amount of dopamine that is released is enormous. So pleasant for us.

If a person gets used to eating junk food continuously for a while, his brain will release such an amount of dopamine that it will reach a very high level. Then it would begin to descend as part of its tolerance process (as it happens in other addictions). So to maintain the same initial level of pleasure, you are going to need to eat more junk food.

In short, you would need to eat more and more that type of food to get the pleasure that was achieved in the first place. This process  has the same characteristics of an addiction to any drug or alcohol .

Are cravings a reflection of hunger?

The craving is that almost uncontrollable urge to eat a specific food. It can appear while you are busy, working, reading or studying. Also, cravings will almost always lead you to consume. fast food.

Something you should take into account is that If cravings are present at all times, you should avoid eating junk food. In this way you will not fall or encourage addiction to this type of food. If it is a really sporadic craving, it is not a bad thing. In any case, it would be good to eat some fruit  natural when you have a craving for processed food.

Other consequences of eating junk food

Memory and learning problems

Generally, addiction to this type of food is accompanied by great anxiety, both to consume them, as well as general anxiety. It is well known that anxiety interferes with attention and, therefore, with memory. Both processes are basic to learning. 

Increases the likelihood of depression

A meal that is not very nutritious, with high levels of fat, sugar, cholesterol, etc., interferes with the mood, making us more apathetic, isolating us socially (especially if there are episodes of binge eating) and, finally, feeling guilty for our conduct.

Fatigue and weakness

This type of food lacks nutrients, vitamins and minerals, forcing the body to enter a deficiency stage. Even if you feel satisfied and full, there is no real source of energy, which can lead to chronic fatigue.

Different diseases

• The high levels of fat associated with this type of food can cause digestive problems.
• In turn, it increases the risk of cardiovascular and kidney diseases and can induce type 2 diabetes.

Is it possible to break the vicious cycle of eating junk food?

Yes, and the first step is to make the decision to stop this food and start eating really healthy and natural foods. Try to include substitutes like:

• Nuts (peanuts, almonds, and walnuts)
• Eggs
• Vegetables
• Fruit

You can also include some portions of processed cheese to get used to the flavor of the vegetables and spread a little coconut oil for food preparation.

Final comments

Remember that each of your meals should include protein, fat and vegetables. In this way, your body will feel satisfied and the cravings will be less and less. Early in this process of change, it can be difficult to avoid junk food.

Just remember that you will not get benefits from it, on the contrary. Go slowly, not the changes in your body and mood. You will see that with time and a lot of will it is not so impossible.

Try to take healthy substitutes with you such as:

• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Yoghurt
• Crispy vegetables
• Cheese
• Homemade granola bars