PET Scans Reveal SHOCKING Food Revelation

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope your day is filled with food, family, and fun.

The LAST thing I want to do is put a damper on today’s festivities. But on a food-focused holiday like today, I can’t help but think about our relationship with food these days.

We know more about HOW to eat to stay healthy than we ever have before. And yet, we’re getting sicker and unhealthier with each passing year.

A recent study sheds a bright light on one of the biggest reasons why.

And spoiler alert…the decline is NOT our fault

Researchers recently decided to figure out what the sugary, ultra-processed foods—that have become a staple of the Western diet—are doing to our brains.

They gave volunteers milkshakes with different amounts of sugar. The volunteers then had PET scans of their brains done. And what the scientists saw was rather shocking.

The very low-sugar milkshake did nothing to the brains of the volunteers. The low-sugar milkshake produced the same results…. no effect.

But all bets were off with the high-sugar milkshakes. When THEY hit, the volunteer’s brains lit up like Christmas trees.

But it gets even crazier. The researchers immediately recognized the PARTS of the brain that were lighting up in response to the high-sugar food…

They’re the exact SAME areas that are activated when people take addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin!

In other words, eating more sugar caused similar brain responses to those seen when people abuse drugs.

It’s just one more piece of evidence to add to a growing stack proving that some foods, ESPECIALLY those high in sugar, fat, and salt, can be essentially “addictive.”

There are reasons to be worried about what this means.

For one thing, these results give a brain-based explanation for overeating and bingeing, which can be very hard to control. Because, although it’s not a chemical addiction that can cause dangerous withdrawal symptoms, some aspects of it ARE similar.

For example, someone addicted to crack cocaine who is always desperate for their next hit and folks who are “addicted” to food may all be stuck in a compulsive loop of strong cravings and overindulgences.

Our brains and bodies seem incapable of resisting the siren call of sugar, fat, and salt in LETHAL combinations. We may need an intervention to break free of Big Food’s irresistible concoctions.

P.S. The food industry’s dirty little secret is REVEALED!

Source:

Carnell S, et al., “Milkshake Acutely Stimulates Dopamine Release in Ventral and Dorsal Striatum in Healthy-Weight Individuals and Patients with Severe Obesity Undergoing Bariatric Surgery: A Pilot Study.” Nutrients. 2023; 15(12):2671.

Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More Free Articles

The Tiny Green Secret to a SHARPER Brain

We all want to keep our brains functioning at their absolute best for as long as possible. In fact, I bet you’re already doing some of the usual brain-supporting things like taking supplements, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and trying to keep stress levels in check. However, you can add one more thing to your...

Read This

Is Your Bathroom Hiding a Dirty Secret?

Let’s talk about your bathroom. You probably spend a good chunk of your day there, from your morning routine to your evening wind-down. But how clean do you really keep it? Maybe you’re a neat freak, scrubbing every surface until it sparkles. Or perhaps you’re more of a “clean enough” type, giving things a quick...

Read This

Key Facts to Consider BEFORE Trying Marijuana

Lately, I’ve had a lot of people ask me if marijuana is safe, and my answer always is, “It depends…” You may have lived through the wild days of the 60s and 70s and even experimented with a little weed back then. But the marijuana of today is NOT the same mellow grass you remember....

Read This

MAILBAG: Decoding Chest Pain and Breathlessness During Activity

“I’ve been having chest pain and shortness of breath when I’m active. Could this be a sign of a heart problem? What tests should I undergo to determine if there’s an issue?” -Paul Hi Paul, Regardless of past heart history, I always advise folks to seek medical help immediately if they experience concerning symptoms, including...

Read This

The Surprising Key to SURVIVING a Stroke

Imagine you’re going about your day when, suddenly, your world turns upside down. Your vision blurs, your speech slurs, and you feel a weakness in your arm. You’re having a stroke. It’s a terrifying experience that far too many of us have faced. And if you’re lucky enough to survive, the fear of another stroke...

Read This

The Deadly Truth About Sleep Apnea REVEALED

Where do you put sleep on your priorities list? It should rank pretty high for everyone, but if you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it’s time to make it one of your TOP priorities. After all, the alarming results of the latest OSA research make it clear that quality sleep is truly a matter of...

Read This

Mistakes that Make Seasonal Allergies WORSE

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know how miserable they can make you feel. Common irritants, such as mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, air pollution, and strong odors, can make your symptoms go from bad to worse. You can avoid some of these triggers, and you have no control over others. Either way,...

Read This

The Hidden Dangers of Fried Foods

It’s no wonder French fries are so popular. They’re crispy, salty, and oh-so-satisfying. As a matter of fact, as I wrote the words “crispy” and “salty” just now, my mouth watered. I’m only human, after all. But brace yourself—because what I’m about to share will make you think twice before diving into your next serving...

Read This

Losing Your Locks? The SURPRISING Solution

There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Losing your hair sucks. The hit to your self-esteem is no joke. You might even find yourself avoiding mirrors and hoarding hats. The treatment options are limited, often come with a laundry list of side effects, and deliver results that are about as predictable as a coin flip. It’s...

Read This

REAL Drug-Free Back Pain Relief

Recently, I’ve had several exasperated people ask me, “Is back pain something I just have to live with?” I battled chronic back pain for years, so I completely understand why some folks feel so hopeless about finding relief. In fact, I used to think I was doomed to a life of pain and limitations, too....

Read This