Junk Food Addiction is Real, Experts Say Here Are The Signs

Recent studies suggest that these irresistible dishes are not only designed to be delicious, but also addictive — so much so that some experts are calling the insatiable craving a bona fide mental illness, per the Wall Street Journal. Symptoms of “ultra-processed food use disorder” or “highly-processed food use disorder,” would include intense cravings and difficulty cutting down consumption, as well as withdrawal symptoms such as irritability and agitation trying to reduce intake, according to Ashley Gearhardt, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan and top researcher in the field of food addiction. Decades of research have shown that ultra-processed foods — such as potato chips, some cereals, store-bought condiments, and prepackaged snacks — are bad for the body. With additional mounting evidence that the brain and gut are intrinsically linked, experts say that food has the power to change our minds, too, contributing to mood disorders, sleep issues, learning impairments, and cognitive decline.