Can we really be addicted to food? (With Dr. David Kessler)
Can we really be addicted to food? (With Dr. David Kessler)  
Podcast: Nutrition Diva
Published On: Wed Jun 04 2025
Description: Today's episode explores whether certain foods can be addictive, with insight from Dr. David Kessler, former FDA Commissioner and author of "Diet, Drugs, and Dopamine." Monica and Dr. Kessler discuss the concept of food addiction, compulsive eating, and the brain's reward system.Transcript: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes/can-we-really-be-addicted-to-food-with-dr-david-kessler/transcriptReferencesEvidence for sugar addiction: behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake - PubMedAddiction-like reward dysfunction and compulsive eating in obese rats: Role for dopamine D2 receptors - PMCFemale mice are more prone to develop an addictive-like phenotype for sugar consumption | Scientific ReportsFrontiers | Shifts in naturalistic behaviors induced by early social isolation stress are associated with adult binge-like eating in female ratsAddictive Junk Food: A Simple Story for a Complex Problem - ConscienHealthChemical Complexity of Food and Implications for Therapeutics | New England Journal of Medicine New to Nutrition Diva? Check out our special Spotify playlist for a collection of the best episodes curated by our team and Monica herself! We've also curated some great playlists on specific episode topics including Diabetes and Gut Health! Also, find a playlist of our bone health series, Stronger Bones at Every Age. Have a nutrition question? Send an email to nutrition@quickanddirtytips.com.Follow Nutrition Diva on Facebook and subscribe to the newsletter for more diet and nutrition tips. Find out about Monica's keynotes and other programs at WellnessWorksHere.comNutrition Diva is a part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.  LINKS:Transcripts: https://nutrition-diva.simplecast.com/episodes/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QDTNutrition/Newsletter: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/nutrition-diva-newsletterWellness Works Here: https://wellnessworkshere.comQuick and Dirty Tips: https://quickanddirtytipscom