There are foods you cannot seem to stop eating no matter how hard you try, be they ice cream. chocolate or cheese. The concept of food addiction has been employed without a clear definition for some time, with associations made between certain types of food being consumed and the physiological and behavioural effects of drug use, such as increased impulsivity and emotional reactivity as well as specific patterns of brain activity.

Now, recent research completed by the Icahn School of Medicine, in Mount Sinai, and published online by the Public Library of Science has furthered knowledge in this area. Some highly processed foods (including fast food, chocolate, ice cream, cakes and biscuits) have post-consumption effects similar to those of drugs, therefore researchers hypothesised that they could also be linked to addictive eating behaviours. It was thought that foods that contain concentrated amounts of physiological stimulants (sugars and fats), and had quick absorption rates in the body (high glycaemic load), would create pronounced physiological, addictive experiences.

Rich in processed carbs, fat and salt, pizza is one of the most addictive foods you can eat. Credit:Getty

Two studies investigated which foods were rated as most and least addictive by participants. Participants then applied these highly and lowly rated foods to the Yale Food Addiction Scale. They described their food-related experiences using statements such as "I eat to the point where I feel physically ill". This allowed researchers to identify links between particular types of food and associated addictive food behaviours. Foods were then rated from most to least problematic when it came to their addictive tendencies.