Can we really be addicted to food? (With Dr. David Kessler)

Can we really be addicted to food? (With Dr. David Kessler)

Author: QuickAndDirtyTips.com, Monica Reinagel June 4, 2025 Duration: 16:27

Today's episode explores whether certain foods can be addictive, with insight from Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner and author of "Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine." Monica and Dr. Kessler discuss the concept of food addiction, compulsive eating, and the brain's reward system.

Transcript: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes/can-we-really-be-addicted-to-food-with-dr-david-kessler/transcript

References

Evidence for sugar addiction: behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake - PubMed

Addiction-like reward dysfunction and compulsive eating in obese rats: Role for dopamine D2 receptors - PMC

Female mice are more prone to develop an addictive-like phenotype for sugar consumption | Scientific Reports

Frontiers | Shifts in naturalistic behaviors induced by early social isolation stress are associated with adult binge-like eating in female rats

Addictive Junk Food: A Simple Story for a Complex Problem - ConscienHealth

Chemical Complexity of Food and Implications for Therapeutics | New England Journal of Medicine

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You're probably tired of the constant noise around what to eat, with every headline seeming to contradict the last. Nutrition Diva cuts through that confusion. Hosted by Monica Reinagel, a seasoned expert from QuickAndDirtyTips.com, this weekly conversation feels like getting clear, practical advice from a trusted friend who actually understands the science. Instead of pushing fads, Monica takes the latest nutrition research and unpacks it in a way that makes sense for real life, separating the solid findings from the hype. She directly tackles the questions that pop up in your own kitchen, whether you're wondering about a new superfood or just trying to pack a better lunch. The goal isn't perfection, but building a sensible, sustainable approach to food that leaves you feeling informed and in control. Tuning into this podcast means replacing anxiety with actionable knowledge, so you can make choices that are right for you without the dogma. It's a grounded resource for anyone who wants to think about health and eating well, but could do without the extreme diets and scare tactics.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Nutrition Diva