Refinement

Refinement

The role of refinement of foods in creating addictive eating behavior is of interest to the Foundation.

Food addiction treatment programs have historically focused on eliminating refined carbohydrates.  Kay Sheppard early work Food Addiction: The Body Knows advocates eliminating sugar, flour, and wheat.  Most food addiction recovery programs follow a variation of this definition. Sheppard also advocates eliminating personal binge foods.  Our observations are that this category may include caffeine, fats that have been subjected to high temperatures, and salt.

The Foundation is exploring several questions in regard to the role of refinement in creating addictive properties for food. 

• Are the refinement processes that manufacture drugs of abuse from plants also at work in the creation of addictive foods?   
• It is generally accepted that the concentration and extraction of psychoactive ingredients create addictive properties in opium and cocaine.  Could the extraction and concentration of carbohydrates also create addictive properties in sweeteners and flour, as well as salt and caffeine? 
• Could concentration into cheese and butter of milk products which are known to contain morphine, sodium, lactose, and fat give them addictive properties?
• Does applying high heat such as is done in the preparation of addictive substances give fats addictive properties?

The answers to these questions will help people devise a program of abstinence that is appropriate for each individual.  A substantial body of research will enable health care professionals advise their clients and patients with confidence.

If you would like to support research into the role of refinement in creating addictive properties for foods, please click here.

https://www.refinedfoodaddiction.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1