It should come as no surprise to anyone that Oreo cookies were found to be as addictive as cocaine in a recent study. Our bodies are wired to like sugary, fatty foods, but it’s not a habit that can’t be kicked, according to New York City Dr. Timothy Morley, whose work includes helping women use nutrition to regulate hormone health.
“The first step in curing a sugar or fat addiction is, like with any addiction, realize you have it,” said Morley. “This is difficult because we don’t generally think of food as being biologically addictive like a drug, but it can be.”
A research team at Connecticut College in New London conducted an experiment on rats using a maze with rice cakes on one side and Oreos on the other. The rats were observed on both sides of the maze.
“Just like humans, rats don’t seem to get much pleasure out of eating rice cakes,” Joseph Schroeder, who led the research team, told UPI.com.
The experiment results were compared with previous tests done on rats that were given shots of morphine or cocaine on one side of a maze and shots of saline on the other. The Oreo study showed that the rats eating the Oreos spent as much time on that side of the maze as those given the drugs.
The researchers also studied the pleasure center of the rats’ brains and found that the Oreos activated more neurons than cocaine or morphine.
“Our research supports the theory that high-fat/high-sugar foods stimulate the brain in the same way that drugs do,” Schroeder told the Connecticut College News. “It may explain why some people can’t resist these foods despite the fact that they know they are bad for them.”
Morley believes that learning other ways to activate the pleasure centers is key in overcoming addiction to foods. He also recommends controlling the amount you eat and practicing portion control, educating yourself regarding good vs. bad foods and eliminating soda, high fructose corn syrup and sweeteners that can cause people to binge eat more often.
And according to the study, rats, just like many humans, like to eat the creamy filling first. So the next time you get a mad craving to eat an entire bag of Oreos in one sitting, just blame it on your brain chemistry.
[Update, 3:05 p.m., Oct. 16: This post has been updated to include comments from Dr. Timothy Morley, D.O.]
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FAQs
They found that the Oreos activated significantly more neurons than cocaine or morphine. "This correlated well with our behavioral results and lends support to the hypothesis that high-fat/ high-sugar foods are addictive," said Schroeder.
What does it mean when you crave Oreos? ›
If you've ever found yourself desperately craving this classic snack after class, you're not alone. Turns out that “Milk's Favorite Cookie” is as addictive as crack. According to a Connecticut College Study, Oreos activate the same pleasure receptors in the brain as highly addictive drugs, like cocaine and morphine.
How do Oreos affect your body? ›
Weight gain: Oreos are high in calories and sugar, which can contribute to weight gain and obesity. Increased risk of diabetes: High sugar intake, such as that from eating too many Oreos, can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
What are the bad ingredients in Oreos? ›
In short, Oreo's "creme" is hydrogenated vegetable oil, high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, and vanillin. Each of those come with some concerns. Hydrogenated vegetable oil has been associated with several adverse side effects according to Healthline.
Why can't I stop eating Oreos? ›
When we perform pleasurable activities, including eating palatable foods such as Oreo cookies, a reward system is kicked off in the brain. This includes dopamine neurotransmitters getting released in the brain.
How many Oreos is too many? ›
Moderation and Serving Size
It is recommended that an individual limits their intake of Oreos to the serving size specified on the package, which is typically three cookies. Each Oreo cookie contains approximately 52 calories and 2.3 grams of fat, including both saturated and unsaturated fats.
Is it OK to eat Oreos everyday? ›
The Verdict
Oreo cookies have high amounts of sugar, fat, and calories. Therefore, it can cause severe health conditions like diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases. However, you can avoid the harmful effects by having it in moderation.
Why can't i stop eating cookies? ›
Junk foods specifically triggers our brain's “reward zone,” the same area where drugs and alcohol act. Every time you eat sugar, your brain releases dopamine (the happy hormone), and you feel good.
Do Oreos cause inflammation? ›
Processed foods, such as Oreos, often contain high levels of sugar, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats. These substances can cause inflammation and damage cells in the body, increasing the risk of cancer.
Is it okay to eat Oreos once a week? ›
A portion of Oreo cookies is 3 pieces (3 cookies). You can eat a portion once or twice a week as a snack.
Owner Sound Bites Nutrition, LLC calls out Oreos as particularly problematic since they're high in sugar and fat and people can't seem to eat just a few. Instead: Andrews says, "If you have a craving for something crunchy or chocolate, I recommend cocoa dusted almonds.
What is the white stuff in Oreos called? ›
Oreo (/ˈɔːrioʊ/; stylized in all caps) is a brand of sandwich cookie consisting of two cocoa biscuits or cookie pieces with a sweet fondant filling.
What is the most unhealthy Oreo? ›
Fudge Covered Oreo
Not a surprise, really, that a cookie coated in additional chocolate fudge is about the least healthy Oreo you can get, is it? This variety has the most saturated fat of any Oreo on the list.
What is a healthier alternative to Oreos? ›
1. Vegan Oreo Cookies. These vegan Oreo cookies are made with whole wheat flour, coconut oil, cocoa powder, and maple syrup. They are dairy-free, egg-free, and refined sugar-free, but still taste delicious and crunchy.
What makes cookies so addictive? ›
A traditional chocolate chip cookie has about 2.5 teaspoons of sugar. And then there's the fat, which usually comes from butter. Researchers say the fat and sugar combine to induce feel-good brain chemicals linked to addiction.
Why do Oreos make me happy? ›
A study was done on this topic in 2010 by scientists at Connecticut College and they gave rats Oreos to see how they will react to the sugar from the cookies. They've found out that the “pleasure center” or the nucleus accumbens of the brain responded the same way to Oreos as it would to cocaine or morphine.
What age group eats the most Oreos? ›
Oreos are most popular among males ages 16-18 years.
Within gender and the age groups of our survey (ages 13-24), we found that Oreo is most popular among 16-18-year-old males. 92% of males cookie snackers ages 16-18 include Oreo as one of their favorite brands.
