Scientists have proven what many of us have learned the hard way: Gluten, dairy, and processed foods trigger addictive responses in the same way commonly abused drugs do.
The more processed (i.e., high carb) and fatty a food is, the more likely it is to cause addiction, and the most addictive foods contain cheese, with pizza taking top honors.
This is due in part to the high-glycemic load of these foods — processed carbs, like pizza crust or a donut, are rapidly absorbed by the body and quickly spike blood sugar before causing it to crash. This triggers areas of the brain as well as hormonal responses that stimulate cravings.
In fact, in a 2013 study, scientists used brain scans to observe brain function after subjects ate foods high in processed carbohydrates as well as foods low on the glycemic index, such as vegetables.
They observed that the subjects who ate the processed foods were hungrier and experienced surges and crashes in blood sugar in contrast to the low-glycemic eaters. They were also more prone to overeating and to choosing more high-glycemic foods compared to the low-glycemic eaters, whose blood sugar remained stable.
Brain scans showed the subjects eating the starchy foods also exhibited more blood flow to the right side of the brain in areas associated with reward, pleasure, and cravings in the high-glycemic eaters. This can drive people to overeat and indulge in yet more starchy foods, perpetuating a vicious cycle.
We also know high-carb foods cause imbalances in the hormones insulin and leptin, which increase hunger and promote fat storage over fat burning.
Gluten and dairy cause opioid responses
Gluten and dairy can be addictive for additional reasons — they trigger an opioid response in the brains of some people. In fact, these people may go through very uncomfortable withdrawls when they go cold turkey off these foods.
The opioid created by the digestion of milk protein is called casopmorphin while the gluten opioid is called gluteomorphin.
These food-derived opioids activate the same opioid receptors in the brain that respond to prescription pain pills and heroin.
The effect is compounded in processed cheese and processed gluten products.
The worst part of a food-based opioid sensitivity is that going gluten-free or dairy-free can cause severe withdrawal symptoms. These can include depression, mood swings, or worsened gut problems.
It is similar to heroin or pain pill withdrawals, only not as severe.
Because gluten and dairy are among the most common causes of food sensitivities, many people have to eliminate them from their diet. Although this is difficult for most everyone, for the person who also experiences opioid responses to them, going gluten-free and dairy-free can mean a couple of weeks of misery.
If this occurs, plan ahead and know you have to weather the withdrawal symptoms until you’ve kicked the addiction.
It’s important to further support yourself by avoiding high-glycemic processed foods so you don’t trigger your brain’s craving mechanisms.
FAQs
The opioid created by the digestion of milk protein is called casopmorphin while the gluten opioid is called gluteomorphin. These food-derived opioids activate the same opioid receptors in the brain that respond to prescription pain pills and heroin.
What does gluten do to your brain? ›
In people with gluten-related disorders, gluten can cause inflammation. This inflammation can affect any part of your body, including your brain, and can show up as psychiatric or behavioral issues, mood disorders, or “foggy brain” or cognitive and memory issues.
Is gluten an addiction? ›
Can Someone Be Addicted to Gluten? It is important to understand that many people who feel worse when they go gluten/grain free, are actually suffering with GWS. Just like drug addiction, gluten addiction is very real. And trying to take gluten out of the diet can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Why is dairy so addictive? ›
"Study Reveals that Cheese Triggers the Same Part of the Brain as Many Drugs" New research argues that cheese is addictive in a way similar to drugs because of a chemical called casein, which is found in dairy products and can trigger the brain's opioid receptors.
What is it called when you are addicted to milk? ›
It's called casomorphin addiction. Cow's milk contains casein molecules. Casein is a slow-digesting dairy protein. The casein molecules are actually micelles. Micelles are lipid (fatty acid) molecules that arrange themselves in a spherical form in aqueous solutions.
Is gluten actually bad for you? ›
“We, as humans, have consumed gluten for as long as people have been making bread. For centuries, foods with gluten have been providing people with protein, soluble fiber and nutrients.” Gluten in itself, especially gluten found in whole grains, is not bad for healthy people whose bodies can tolerate it.
Is gluten and dairy inflammation? ›
Gluten and dairy don't cause inflammation in everyone. For most of us, we can tolerate dairy and gluten in moderation. You may benefit hugely from cutting out gluten, especially, if you have a health condition like celiac disease, a wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
Are gluten and dairy addictive? ›
Gluten and dairy can be addictive for additional reasons — they trigger an opioid response in the brains of some people. In fact, these people may go through very uncomfortable withdrawls when they go cold turkey off these foods.
Is gluten linked to mental illness? ›
For example, gluten has long been linked to psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia. More recently, researchers postulated that either the gut allows gluten to cross the blood-brain barrier or triggers an immune response in the brain. This causes hallucinations and psychosis in some people.
How to flush out gluten from the body? ›
There is no way to “flush” gluten out of your system quickly to lessen the discomfort. Finding the best ways to reduce the symptoms in case you get glutened – and being prepared – can help minimize the fear of getting sick. It may happen, but when you are prepared, it can be less stressful.
There's a lack of evidence on whether eliminating dairy products leads to withdrawal symptoms. Instead, you may risk developing nutrient deficiencies if you do not replace dairy products with other sources of calcium, protein, and vitamins B12 and D.
What does eliminating dairy do to your body? ›
You may improve your overall gut health.
Those artificial ingredients can cause various sensitivities, as well as overgrowth of yeast and inflammation of the GI tract—which can lead to fatigue, an upset stomach, and nausea. But removing dairy can help to heal your gut and replenish its healthy bacteria over time.
What happens if you eat dairy everyday? ›
Q: How much dairy per day is too much? A: It is important not to cross the recommended amount of dairy, which is 2-2.5 servings for children and 3 servings for adults per day. Taking too much milk can lead to digestive issues, skin problems, weight gain, and more. Dairy is also associated with some forms of cancer.
Why is dairy milk so addictive? ›
Milk is a high-fat food, and as any nutritionist knows, foods high in fat, sugar, and salt can be addictive the same way drugs are.
What deficiency causes milk cravings? ›
"Milk is loaded with micronutrients that we need each day to feel our best, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and zinc," Werner says. A milk craving may be a sign that you're deficient in one of these nutrients. However, drinking more milk isn't the only solution to this.
Why do alcoholics crave milk? ›
Contrarily, milk is a great source of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients. Alcoholics may have an innate need to refill and repair their body's nutritional levels to reestablish the sense of balance that alcohol misuse has upset.
Can gluten affect you mentally? ›
Studies have linked celiac disease to several mental health conditions, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression.
What are 3 problems gluten can cause in the body? ›
The five major illnesses associated with gluten are celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, wheat allergy, gluten ataxia, and dermatitis herpetiformis. Each is distinct, but all are related and manageable.
Can gluten cause neurological problems? ›
The best-characterized neurologic complication related to gluten sensitivity is ataxia, now termed “gluten ataxia”. Gluten ataxia is characterized by positive anti-gliadin antibodies, changes in the cerebellum, and ataxic symptoms including upper or lower limb ataxia, gait ataxia, and dysarthria [11].
Does gluten really cause brain fog? ›
Gluten-induced neurocognitive impairment, also known as “brain fog” or “celiac fog,” has been found to be a symptom in many with celiac disease and gluten-related disorders.
