Food industry exploits brain's reward circuitry from "summary" of The End of Overeating by David A. Kessler
The food industry has become experts at creating foods that are highly stimulating to our brains. These foods are specifically engineered to activate the brain's reward circuitry, leaving us craving more. When we consume these hyperpalatable foods, our brains release dopamine, the neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This dopamine release reinforces our desire to eat more of these foods, creating a vicious cycle of overeating. The combination of fats, sugars, and salts in these foods triggers a powerful response in our brains. Our brains are wired to seek out these nutrients because they were once scarce in our environment. However, in today's world of plenty, the food industry has capitalized on this biological drive by creating foods that are high in these rewarding nutrients. This can lead to overconsumption and weight gain, as our brains continue to seek out these highly rewarding foods. The food industry also uses a variety of marketing techniques to further exploit our brain's reward circuitry. By associating their products with positive emotions and experiences, they create a strong emotional connection to their foods. This emotional connection can override our body's natural signals of hunger and fullness, leading us to eat more than we need.- The food industry often uses deceptive labeling and packaging to make their products appear healthier than they actually are. This can lead consumers to underestimate the caloric content of these foods, further contributing to overeating. Overall, the food industry's manipulation of our brain's reward circuitry can make it difficult to resist the allure of these highly palatable foods. As a result, many people find themselves trapped in a cycle of overeating and weight gain.
