Category: Behavioral psychology

Research from University College London found that it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit, which directly influences how long does it take to kick food cravings. This duration is highly personal and depends on several factors, including the type of craving and individual psychology.

Researchers have observed that highly palatable foods, often those high in sugar, fat, and salt, can stimulate the brain's reward system in a manner similar to addictive drugs. This powerful mechanism explains how the brain's reward system and dopamine release fuel food addiction, creating a compelling, hard-to-resist cycle of cravings.

According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), a poor diet was associated with 10.6% of all deaths in 2021, with cardiovascular disease being the leading cause. This stark statistic underscores the critical need for effective interventions to help people adopt and maintain healthier eating habits for long-term well-being.

Did you know that the phenomenon of having a 'second stomach' for dessert is not a myth, but a real biological and psychological process? While you don't actually grow an extra organ, your desire for something sweet after a savory meal is rooted in the complex interplay between your brain, gut, and sensory perception.

According to a 2025 article in India Today, a diet of eating the same meal every day, known as a monotrophic diet, is a trend followed by some celebrities for weight loss, but it is not a sustainable or healthy long-term approach. However, eating the same foods repeatedly can stem from many other factors, ranging from simple preference to complex neurological conditions.

According to a study from Semyung University in South Korea, men tend to eat at a much faster pace than women due to more powerful chewing and swallowing of larger bites. However, the reasons behind this behavior are far more complex than just physical differences, involving a mix of psychological drivers, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences that affect many men worldwide.

According to scientific studies, the compound capsaicin in chili peppers tricks your brain into thinking you're in pain, which causes a flood of feel-good endorphins. This neurochemical reward system is a primary reason why your body craves peppers and spicy foods.

Over 90% of people experience food cravings, proving they are an incredibly common part of the human experience. Rather than an enemy to be conquered, a craving is a complex signal from your brain influenced by hormones, habits, and emotions. So, is it possible to stop cravings? The answer is nuanced, focusing more on strategic management than outright elimination.

According to a systematic review, reducing served food portions can significantly decrease average energy intake, yet many people struggle with portion control. The question of who decides portion size is more complex than it appears, involving a confluence of factors beyond individual choice.

According to the World Health Organization, an unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity constitute major global health risks. So why don't we eat healthy food, even with ample knowledge of its benefits? The reasons are a complex mix of external pressures and internal psychological factors that make nutritious choices challenging.