Andy Montoya
Is cheese like crack? This question has been floating around the internet for years, with viral headlines claiming that cheese is as addictive as cocaine. While it may be an exaggeration to say that cheese is like crack, there is some scientific evidence to suggest that cheese can be addictive. A study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine found that pizza, which often contains cheese, was the most addictive food, and attributed this addictiveness to the cheese. The study also found that the more processed and fatty a food is, the more it is associated with addictive eating behaviours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is cheese addictive? | Yes, according to some studies and researchers. |
| Is cheese as addictive as crack? | No direct evidence, but some researchers claim cheese is "like crack" due to its addictive properties. |
| Why is cheese addictive? | Cheese contains casein, a protein found in milk products. When consumed, casein fragments called casomorphins act as mild opiates, attaching to the same brain receptors as heroin and other narcotics, triggering the release of dopamine. |
| What are the implications of cheese being addictive? | It can be difficult for people to give up, contributing to health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. |
| Are there any criticisms of the claim? | Yes, some argue that the evidence for cheese being "like crack" is weak and that such comparisons fundamentally misunderstand how the brain works. |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheese contains casein, a protein that is present in milk but at much higher levels in cheese
- Fragments of cheese protein, called casomorphins, attach to the same brain receptors as heroin and other narcotics
- The addictive effects of cheese are due to it containing large amounts of the protein casein, present in milk but at much higher levels in cheese
- Cheese is not just tasty, it contains concentrated opiates, salt and grease that keep us hooked
- Cheese is not as addictive as cocaine, despite what some viral headlines may suggest
Cheese contains casein, a protein that is present in milk but at much higher levels in cheese
Several sources claim that cheese is as addictive as crack cocaine. However, this comparison is misleading and sensationalized. While cheese does contain casein, a protein present in milk, the levels of casein are much higher in cheese due to the way it is made. Casein fragments, called casomorphins, act as mild opiates by attaching to the same brain receptors as heroin and other narcotics. This release of dopamine in the brain's reward center encourages us to eat more cheese.
Cheese is not the only food that can trigger this response. In fact, pizza, which often contains cheese, consistently ranks higher on lists of addictive foods. The more processed and fatty a food is, the more it tends to be associated with addictive eating behaviors. Other highly processed foods with added fat and refined carbohydrates, such as ice cream, French fries, cookies, chips, and cake, are often considered even more addictive than cheese.
While cheese may be habit-forming due to its high casein content, it is important to remember that not everyone experiences food addiction in the same way. Individual biology, as well as social and environmental factors, play a role in determining whether someone develops an unhealthy relationship with a particular food or substance.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some of the sources making the comparison between cheese and crack cocaine have a vegan or animal rights agenda. For example, Dr. Neal Barnard, who refers to cheese as "dairy crack," is the founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, an organization that promotes veganism and advocates for a plant-based diet. While there may be valid health reasons to reduce cheese consumption, it is important to approach these claims with a critical eye and consider the potential biases of the sources.
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Fragments of cheese protein, called casomorphins, attach to the same brain receptors as heroin and other narcotics
Cheese is often hailed as "dairy crack" by the media, with viral headlines claiming that it is as addictive as cocaine. These claims are based on a study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, which found that pizza was the most addictive food, likely due to the cheese it contains. However, the study did not directly compare cheese to cocaine or other drugs.
Cheese contains a protein called casein, which is found in milk but is present in much higher concentrations in cheese due to the way it is made. Casein breaks down into fragments called casomorphins, which are morphine-like compounds that act as mild opiates in the body.
When consumed, casomorphins attach to the same brain receptors as heroin and other narcotics, producing a tiny hit of dopamine with each bite. This activation of the brain's reward centre encourages us to eat more cheese and can make it challenging to cut down on or control intake. However, it is important to note that the impact of casomorphins on most individuals is questionable, and the evidence supporting this claim is weak.
While cheese may have addictive properties due to its casein content, it is essential to understand that the comparison to hard drugs is often sensationalized and misunderstood. The brain's reward system is complex, and many factors can influence it. Additionally, the context in which something is pleasurable, such as the taste and texture of cheese, also plays a role in our attraction to it.
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The addictive effects of cheese are due to it containing large amounts of the protein casein, present in milk but at much higher levels in cheese
While some sources refute the claim that cheese is as addictive as crack, there is evidence to suggest that cheese has addictive properties. The addictive effects of cheese are due to it containing large amounts of the protein casein, present in milk but at much higher levels in cheese.
Casein is a protein found in all milk products. When milk is converted into cheese, the protein content multiplies. For example, a cup of milk contains 7.7 grams of protein, 80% of which is casein. When converted to cheddar, the protein content increases sevenfold to 56 grams, making it the most concentrated form of casein in any food in the grocery store.
Cheese also contains casein fragments called casomorphins, a casein-derived morphine-like compound. When consumed, these fragments attach to the same brain receptors that heroin and other narcotics attach to, resulting in a tiny hit of dopamine with each bite of cheese. This release of dopamine in the brain's reward centre encourages us to eat more cheese and is why so many people crave it and have a hard time giving it up.
The addictive properties of cheese may also be linked to its high salt and fat content. Cheese is a salty, fatty food that stimulates salivation and makes it difficult to regulate consumption. In addition, animal fats tend to slow metabolism, and increased dairy consumption has been linked to weight gain trends.
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Cheese is not just tasty, it contains concentrated opiates, salt and grease that keep us hooked
Cheese is not just tasty, it contains concentrated opiates, salt, and grease that keep us hooked. This statement is supported by research that shows cheese contains casein, a protein found in all milk products, but in much higher levels in cheese due to the way it is made. When consumed, casein fragments called casomorphins attach to the same brain receptors as heroin and other narcotics, resulting in a tiny hit of dopamine with every bite. This makes it hard to give up cheese, and many people crave it.
The claim that cheese is addictive has been a topic of debate, with some arguing that it is as addictive as cocaine. While the evidence for this is weak, a study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine found that certain foods are addictive due to the way they are processed, and cheese, being a highly processed food, falls into this category.
The "addictive" effects of cheese are attributed to its high casein content. Casein is a protein found in milk, but the levels increase significantly during the process of making cheese. For example, a cup of milk contains 7.7 grams of protein, 80% of which is casein. When converted into cheddar cheese, the protein content multiplies sevenfold to 56 grams, making it the most concentrated form of casein in any food.
In addition to the opiate-like effects of casein, cheese is also high in salt and fat, which can contribute to its addictive qualities. Cheese consumption has been linked to weight gain, with vegetarians who consume dairy products weighing 15 pounds more on average than those who avoid them. The high salt and fat content in cheese can also have negative health impacts, contributing to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
While it is important to be mindful of the potential health risks associated with cheese consumption, it is also essential to note that enjoying cheese in moderation is generally not harmful. However, for those who find themselves struggling to regulate their cheese intake, it may be beneficial to seek alternative options or support to make healthier choices.
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Cheese is not as addictive as cocaine, despite what some viral headlines may suggest
Some viral headlines claim that cheese is as addictive as hard drugs like cocaine. However, this is not entirely accurate. While cheese can be habit-forming, it is not as addictive as cocaine. The claim that cheese is as addictive as cocaine stems from a study that found that highly processed foods with added fat and refined carbohydrates are the most difficult to cut down on or eat in a controlled way. Cheese ranked somewhere in the middle, considered less addictive than sugary, processed foods but more so than other unprocessed foods like steak, eggs, bananas, and broccoli.
The study also found that certain foods are addictive because of the way they are processed. The more processed and fatty the food, the more it was associated with addictive eating behaviors. Cheese, especially processed cheese, tends to be high in fat and salt, which can make it harder to stop eating once you've started. It also contains a protein called casein, which is present in milk but at much higher levels in cheese due to the way it's made. Casein breaks down into casomorphins, which are morphine-like compounds that act on the brain's opioid receptors in a similar way to drugs like heroin.
However, it's important to note that the effects of cheese on the brain are not as strong as those of cocaine or other hard drugs. The claim that cheese is "just like cocaine" is an oversimplification of the complex ways in which the brain's reward system works. While it's true that cheese can activate the brain's reward pathway and release dopamine, so can many other pleasurable activities and foods. In fact, any activity that causes us to experience pleasure will invariably involve the brain's mesolimbic reward pathway.
Additionally, the idea that cheese is as addictive as cocaine can be misleading and potentially harmful. It can create a false equivalence between a food product and an illegal drug, which can minimize the seriousness of drug addiction and the negative impacts of drugs on society. It's important to remember that while enjoying cheese in moderation is generally considered safe, excessive consumption of cheese and other high-fat, high-sodium processed foods can have negative health consequences, such as weight gain and increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
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Frequently asked questions
Some studies have shown that cheese can be addictive due to the presence of casein, a protein found in all milk products. However, the claim that cheese is like crack or cocaine is an exaggeration, as the evidence is weak that casomorphins, when digested, affect most people in the same way as drugs.
Cheese contains casein, which breaks down into casomorphins, a casein-derived morphine-like compound. When consumed, these casomorphins attach to the same brain receptors that heroin and other narcotics attach to, resulting in a tiny hit of dopamine with each bite of cheese.
Cheese is both fattening and addictive. Increased dairy consumption has been linked to weight gain trends, and cheese consumption has risen alongside the rise in obesity. Cheese is also high in salt and calories, with one cup of melted cheddar containing 986 calories and more salt than potato chips.
