Renowned Princeton physiological psychologist and researcher Bart Hoebel has died at the age of 76. He was a leader in research on eating behaviors and the addictive qualities of food. He seems to have been a professor that invested in his students, and we hope that some of them will continue his research in his absence.
Below are just some highlights of what Dr. Hoebel’s research has taught us.
Sugar is addictive and affects brain functions the same way as cocaine and heroin.
High-fructose corn syrup leads to more weight gain than ingesting the same amount of calories via traditional sugar. It also causes abnormal increases in body fat, particularly in the belly, and triglycerides.
The same chemical in the brain that triggers cravings for alcohol also triggers cravings for fatty foods.
The physical effects of a sugar binge differ from those of a fat binge.
You can also read more about Dr. Hoebel’s life, legacy, and research at the following links: