Tag: Sugar salt fat

According to U.S. Right to Know, over 57% of the calories American adults consume come from ultra-processed foods, many of which are strategically engineered to be highly palatable and difficult to resist. This intense craving isn't a simple lack of willpower, but rather a complex manipulation of the brain's reward system.

According to U.S. Right to Know, evidence suggests some ultra-processed foods can be as addictive as cigarettes and cocaine due to industrial engineering. Fast food manufacturers invest millions in research to create hyper-palatable products that stimulate the brain's reward centers, encouraging overconsumption and repeat purchases.

According to a 2025 study from Stanford Medicine, food scientists have perfected the "bliss point"—the precise combination of sugar, salt, and fat that maximizes palatability and encourages overconsumption. It's this masterful engineering that explains why processed food tastes better to many people, creating powerful cravings that are hard to resist.

According to a 2019 report, the average American consumed over 3,600 calories per day, with a significant portion coming from highly processed, energy-dense items. Understanding why is junk food a thing requires looking beyond simple cravings to a complex interplay of evolutionary biology, food science, and modern marketing.

According to studies, over a third of Americans consume fast food on any given day. But beyond convenience, many people frequently wonder: what is in McDonald's food that makes it addictive, prompting such frequent and intense cravings?