Scientists have found that Cheese is as addictive as Drugs. According to the study, conducted at the University of Michigan, Cheese is addictive because of a protein called casein, found in milk products.
Researchers identified addictive foods from about 500 people who completed the Yale Food Addiction Scale, designed to measure if someone has a food addiction.
Researchers behind the study published in the Public Library of Science One journal found that fat was linked to problematic eating whether or not participants were addicted to food.
When cheese is consumed and then digested, casein releases opiates called casomorphins.Casomorphins play with the dopamine receptors and trigger that addictive element.
According to Researcher, Erica Schulte: “If properties of some foods are associated with addictive eating for some people, this may impact nutrition guidelines, as well as public policy initiatives such as marketing these foods to children.”
Another Researcher, Nicole Avena, said: “This is a first step towards identifying specific foods, and properties of foods, which can trigger this addictive response.
“This could help change the way we approach obesity treatment. It may not be a simple matter of ‘cutting back’ on certain foods, but rather, adopting methods used to curtail smoking, drinking, and drug use.”
Source – Independent.co.uk