Food is one of our very basic needs, though we consume a variety of food, there are somethings we haven’t ever questioned, which may in fact bring to the surface some interesting food facts !
Why we love junk food?
The human body is designed to crave for energy-efficient food. Foods rich in carbohydrates, fats and proteins are mainly the source this energy. One of the other interesting food facts is that when we pick a meal for ourselves, we subconsciously look for the following characteristics in them: Fats, Carbohydrates, Proteins and Crunchiness. The reason why we look for the first three characteristics is because these elements are vital to our body and make food energy- efficient. Crunchiness is usually associated with freshness of a food. This idea has been planted in our minds and hardwired in our brain over a period of time. For example, going back to ancient times, humans consumed fruits and berries that provided with the necessary fats and carbs and protein was gained from meat. Crunchy fruits were usually characterized as fresh!
Till date we look for the same elements in the food we eat, however, with the food industry growing at a fast pace, a variety of foods with having these individual elements are provided to us. For example, chocolate provide us with the sugar (fats & carbs) that fruits would. The brain is incapable of understanding the difference between food products. The brain is only concerned about the nutrients and not of the source from which they are acquired.
Most junk food like chips, wafers, burgers etc are crunchy and high in sugar, therefore, we are drawn to theses foods. Another food fact is that taste that we look for flavours such as sweet, sour, salty, bitter – and savory, in our meals. Research has bought another food fact in relation the taste, to the surface; savory food evokes pleasant emotions in people. Most junk food being savory, leads us to craving junk food.
Another well-known food fact is that junk food is rich in Sugar. Consumption of sugar or sweet foods, leads to the release of dopamine in the body. Usually, dopamine is released during pleasurable moments or situations. The secretion of this neurotransmitter, causes a person to seek out a desirable activity over and over again.
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Also, read about our previous blog Tell Me Why: The Human Body
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