YO-YO dieting may produce withdrawal symptoms similar to those suffered by alcoholics and drug addicts, a study suggests.
Many people go on a diet only to find themselves locked into a cycle of calorie-cutting and binge-eating.
The new research on rats suggests they may be experiencing effects in the brain seen in relapsing drug users.
One group of rats was given standard food and sugary chocolate-flavoured rations at five and two day intervals. A second group only received standard food.
Diet-cycled rats began to turn their noses up at their “standard” food while pouncing on the sugary treats.
