November 04, 2015. Crisis meeting at the French table. A new American study claims that cheese addiction is comparable to that of alcohol, tobacco and, even worse, that of hard drugs! From Camembert to Coke Rail, are we all junkies?
A relationship with passionate cheese
Cheese lovers know it is hard to resist the temptation when presented with a cheese platter right under their noses. So many different types, flavors and textures to satisfy the taste buds and the stomach… It’s not easy to say no and turn on your heels. And for good reason, science explains that there is a real addiction to cheese.
According to a recent study from the University of Michigan, certain types of food become addictive through chemical and biological mechanisms. The eating behaviors of 500 students were scrutinized with an astonishing result: cheese pizza would be the food that would make the most dependent.
Casein, a big responsible
Our food addictions are actually the consequence of behaviors written in our genes. Since the dawn of time, in order to survive, man has been forced to ingest large amounts of animal fat. Cheese contains a protein that is found in all dairy products: casein. During digestion, it releases a chemical compound called casomorphin which is said to have the same effects on our body as opiates. As cheese is a super concentrated milk, casein is very present there.
A not-so-bad drug
The European Food Protection Agency (EFSA) has analyzed the effects of casomorphine on health, without convincing results. If the addiction to cheese is real, its harmfulness is much less than addictions to drugs, tobacco and alcohol. It is also a good source of vitamin A, calcium and phosphorus. However, no abuse, we also know that its richness in fat and cholesterol does not make it an ally for our vascular system!
So nothing to be alarmed about at the moment. But at least we know about it. Even though, we already knew we were addicted to cheese… right?
