What You Need To Realize About Wheat

When you think of addiction, what comes to mind? Alcohol? Cocaine? Heroin? All three would be considered addictive substances, but what if I was to tell you they have a lot in common with sugar and wheat? 

Studies show that sugar is more addictive than cocaine. And wheat, just like heroin, is what's called an opiate. 

Opiates block pain signals and produce feelings of euphoria when they bind to certain receptors in our brain. When we consume wheat (and don't forget the building blocks of wheat are sugars), it enters the stomach, is exposed to pepsin and Hydrochloric acid, which breaks down the wheat into polypeptides. These polypeptides are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, and once they are inside the brain, they bind to opiate receptors, the same ones that cocaine, heroine, and morphine bind to. That is why we get the pleasure and relief. And this is why as a society, we love these foods so much.

So if you struggle with emotional/binge eating, overconsumption of wheat-based products, or just feel out of control in the face of these foods, I will tell you it's not your "fault." It's biochemistry, and these signals are very strong. But it's time to take back control of your health!