Why fried food is addictive?

Answer 1

It all begins with our natural biological drives, which were in place before there were mcdonalds or popeyes. As animals, our brain gives us positive feedback in the form of neurotransmitters as a type of a "reward" When we eat food, especially good tasting food, this tells the body that you are consuming enough calories to survive and "carry on the species". Fried food is extremely calorie-rich and will subconsciously let the body know that it is a good choice for self-preservation, making you feel good about eating it.

This however does not translate in today's world because there is an overabundance in the food supply. In some ways, the obesity epidemic (especially in America) can be thought of as an addiction to the chemicals in foods that trigger the pleasure center in our brains.

Alex G.

Senior in Nutritional & Dietetic Sciences

The University of Arizona

Answer 2

Hi,

Fried food may be addictive for many reasons but the most simple one is that it tastes good! People are more likely to eat something that they believe tastes good rather than something that doesn't. Also, there are additives that food manufacturing companies add to their food products to make it more addicting to the consumer because it makes us crave more of it, sort of like caffeine.