It’s no surprise that pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. But did you know that it’s also one of the most addictive? A recent study published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine has found that pizza is the food most associated with symptoms of addiction, according to the Yale Food Addiction Scale.
The study surveyed 500 people and asked them to rate 35 different types of food on a scale from 1-7, based on how much they craved it, how hard it was to resist eating it, and how guilty they felt after eating it. Pizza topped the list with an average score of 5.4 out of 7, followed by chocolate (5.2) and chips (4.9).
Researchers believe this is because pizza contains a combination of fat, salt and carbohydrates which trigger reward pathways in our brains, making us want more and more. It also contains cheese which releases dopamine – a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure – when eaten.
But why is pizza so addictive? According to researchers at the University of Michigan who conducted a separate study using the Yale Food Addiction Scale, pizza scored highest for “problematic” eating behaviors such as cravings, loss of control over consumption and feeling guilty afterwards. They believe this is because pizza can be easily accessible and affordable for many people, making it difficult to resist temptation when faced with a slice or two.
In addition to its addictive properties, pizza can also be unhealthy if consumed in large amounts due to its high fat and sodium content. Eating too much pizza can lead to weight gain and other health problems such as heart disease or diabetes if not monitored closely.
So while we all love a good slice now and then, moderation is key when it comes to enjoying our favorite Italian dish without going overboard.
