Some foods are designed to induce overconsumption via unconscious gut-brain dopamine signaling, which causes us to lose control over our food choices and promotes obesity rather than laziness.

noli's read

The concept of the gut-brain axis is an active and fascinating area of research. Studies published in journals such as 'Cell Metabolism' have shown that certain nutrients, particularly combinations of fats and sugars, activate specific neural pathways (such as the vagus nerve) that stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain, independently of perceived taste. This biological mechanism supports the idea that we can be driven to consume more by unconscious processes, which reinforces the notion that obesity is a complex metabolic and neurological issue rather than a simple lack of willpower. However, stating that these foods 'control' the individual is a stylistic interpretation: while the biological influence is real, it does not completely erase the capacity for conscious choice. Current research relies on animal models (mechanistic studies) and observational human clinical trials, but it remains difficult to isolate this specific effect as the sole cause of the obesity epidemic in multifactorial food environments.

the sources

1. 1Hall KD, Ayuketah A, Brychta R, et al. 2019
2. 2Lane MM, Gamage E, Du S, et al. 2024