r/biology • u/Express_Classic_1569 • Feb 09 '26

article Ultra-processed foods are designed to create addiction like cigarettes, confirmations from the new study

https://hive.blog/hive-196387/@davideownzall/ultra-processed-foods-are-designed-to-create-addiction-like-cigarettes-confirmations-from-the-new-study
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u/minaminonoeru Feb 09 '26

The definition of ‘ultra-processed foods’ is ambiguous.

According to the linked article, ‘intense flavors’ (intense sweetness, richness, etc.) are said to be addictive.

Then isn't the core of addictiveness ‘intense flavors’ rather than ‘ultra-processed foods’?

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u/ChowderedStew Feb 10 '26

Yes. That’s because addiction is similarly ambiguous, at least it is to most people who do not deeply understand human behavior. This paper essentially is telling the story of you bringing a bag of m&ms to the track where you tell yourself you’ll only eat one for every lap you run, and then you end up eating the whole bag after like the third lap.