Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The best diets of 2020 have been named

The best diets of 2020 have been named

Urgent food recall: Coles, Woolworths, IGA Sriracha Chilli sauce

Urgent food recall: Coles, Woolworths, IGA Sriracha Chilli sauce

New Australian alcohol guidelines released before New Years Eve

New Australian alcohol guidelines released before New Years Eve

 Udder Delights Cheese recalled due to E.coli contamination

Udder Delights Cheese recalled due to E.coli contamination

{headline}

{headline}

Science proves ‘hangry’ is a real emotional condition

Science proves ‘hangry’ is a real emotional condition

The health benefits of going alcohol-free for one month

The health benefits of going alcohol-free for one month

Subway launches limited-edition new cookie flavour

Subway launches limited-edition new cookie flavour

{headline}

{headline}

Why you shouldn’t eat these ‘healthy’ foods

Why you shouldn’t eat these ‘healthy’ foods

What’s the difference between Icelandic and Greek yoghurt?

What’s the difference between Icelandic and Greek yoghurt?

Pizza is better for breakfast than cereal says nutritionist

Pizza is better for breakfast than cereal says nutritionist

Drinking wine could help you lose weight

Drinking wine could help you lose weight

Turns out your go-to takeaway of fish and chips is hurting your immune system

Turns out your go-to takeaway of fish and chips is hurting your immune system

More eggs are recalled across Australia amid salmonella fears

More eggs are recalled across Australia amid salmonella fears

Eggs from Coles and Woolworths have been recalled

Eggs from Coles and Woolworths have been recalled

  1. Home
  2. Health

Choc chip cookies not only delicious, but addictive, says study

Cookies as addictive as drugs, according to a new study. - by Laura Barry
  • 22 Nov 2019

Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most wholesome sweet treats anyone can eat, but a study has found that they can be legitimately addictive.

WATCH: Feed your addiction with these dark choc chip cookies! 

A 2013 study conducted by researchers at the University of Bordeaux in France found that particular ingredients in chocolate chip cookies can trigger the same addictive response in the human brain as cocaine or marijuana.

The purpose of the study was to review research that tests the validity of the analogy between addictive drugs, such as cocaine, and delicious foods, such as those high in added sugar – like junk food.

Why are choc chip cookies addictive?

The study looked at the ingredients in traditional chocolate chip recipes, which identified that the average chocolate chip cookie contained around 2.5 teaspoons of sugar, which can induce similar behaviour in the brain as using cocaine, when eaten.

The study also identified that the chocolate in the cookies often contains small amounts of a compound that trigger the same part of your brain as the addictive ingredient in marijuana, known as THC.

Who knew?

choc chip cookies on plate with glass of milk
Getty

How does choc chip cookie addiction happen?

The combined effects on the human brain from eating chocolate chip cookies means that cookies can be dangerously addictive – which explains our desire to eat more than ‘just one’.

“Overall, this research has revealed that sugar and sweet reward can not only substitute to addictive drugs, like cocaine, but can even be more rewarding and attractive,” writes the researchers, explaining that the effect sugar has on the ‘reward’ parts of the brain is even stronger than drugs, which may explain why humans have evolved the desire for food high in sugar and calories.

“The biological robustness in the neural substrates of sugar and sweet reward may be sufficient to explain why many people can have difficultly to control the consumption of foods high in sugar when continuously exposed to them.”

That is, this effect may explain why its so hard to limit our intake of sweets and junk food!

Now, that's food for thought!

You might also like:

5 healthy alternatives for your favourite snack foods

  • News
  • Food
  • Health
Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The best diets of 2020 have been named

The best diets of 2020 have been named

Urgent food recall: Coles, Woolworths, IGA Sriracha Chilli sauce

Urgent food recall: Coles, Woolworths, IGA Sriracha Chilli sauce

New Australian alcohol guidelines released before New Years Eve

New Australian alcohol guidelines released before New Years Eve

 Udder Delights Cheese recalled due to E.coli contamination

Udder Delights Cheese recalled due to E.coli contamination

{headline}

{headline}

Science proves ‘hangry’ is a real emotional condition

Science proves ‘hangry’ is a real emotional condition

The health benefits of going alcohol-free for one month

The health benefits of going alcohol-free for one month

Subway launches limited-edition new cookie flavour

Subway launches limited-edition new cookie flavour

{headline}

{headline}

Why you shouldn’t eat these ‘healthy’ foods

Why you shouldn’t eat these ‘healthy’ foods

What’s the difference between Icelandic and Greek yoghurt?

What’s the difference between Icelandic and Greek yoghurt?

Pizza is better for breakfast than cereal says nutritionist

Pizza is better for breakfast than cereal says nutritionist

Drinking wine could help you lose weight

Drinking wine could help you lose weight

Turns out your go-to takeaway of fish and chips is hurting your immune system

Turns out your go-to takeaway of fish and chips is hurting your immune system

More eggs are recalled across Australia amid salmonella fears

More eggs are recalled across Australia amid salmonella fears

Eggs from Coles and Woolworths have been recalled

Eggs from Coles and Woolworths have been recalled

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!