Many people admit that they have long wanted to switch to a plant-based diet, but cannot give up cheese. At the same time, they admit that they feel addicted to this product. The term “addiction” usually describes a state where you really like something and it’s hard to give it up. This is a normal situation, and no one considers himself a “cheese addict” and goes to rehab because of this passion. But believe it or not, scientifically speaking, milk cheese does have the ability to be addictive on both physical and chemical levels.
Casomorphin
If you are a vegetarian, then you are probably familiar with casein. It is an animal protein found in dairy products. It is even found in vegan cheeses. It is widely believed that plant-based cheese cannot melt unless it contains casein. But here’s a little-known fact about casein – in the process of digestion, it turns into a substance called casomorphin. Doesn’t it sound like morphine, the opiate painkiller? Indeed, casomorphine is also an opiate and has a similar effect on the brain. It is so conceived by nature that in the milk of mammals there should be compounds that will encourage the young to eat it. That is why babies usually fall asleep after feeding – this is the action of casomorphin. And that’s great when it comes to breastfeeding. But dairy products for adults can cause health problems. And when milk is processed into cheese, casein, and therefore casomorphin, is concentrated, showing its properties, including the addictive effect.
Why are we drawn to unhealthy foods?
The desire to eat is harmful – fatty, sweet, salty – this is a frequent occurrence. Why are unhealthy foods so attractive? There is an opinion that certain foods improve mood by acting on the corresponding receptors in the brain. Essentially, food is used as a form of self-healing by stimulating the production of serotonin, the hormone responsible for mood.
But here we are waiting for pitfalls. A person suffering from mood swings may simply suffer from beriberi. The best-known vitamins that affect mood are B3 and B6 (predominant in garlic, pistachios, whole brown rice, wheat, and most fruits and vegetables). The lack of these vitamins is exacerbated by cravings for foods rich in tryptophan, such as milk and poultry. But satisfaction quickly passes, the lack of B vitamins again pulls the mood down.
Why is it important to get rid of this addiction?
Studies have shown that B-casomorphin-7 (BCM7) contributes to an increased risk of certain non-communicable diseases such as autism, cardiovascular disease and type 1 diabetes. Opioid peptides from casein penetrate the central nervous system, causing damage to it. With the withdrawal of dairy products from the diet in patients with autism, a withdrawal syndrome was observed.
Where does traction come from?
Hippocrates said that all diseases begin in the intestines. His claim is supported by modern research. Food preferences are directly related to the flora of the digestive tract. Scientists have found that the flora in the intestines of the child develops even in the womb, depending on the food taken by the mother during pregnancy. If the mother ate a high-fat diet, then the baby’s brain starts releasing dopamine when the baby eats fatty foods.
The brain is more important than the stomach!
Even if the stars are not in your favor, there is hope. Scientists have proven in clinical trials that nutrition education and behavioral counseling correct cravings (even strong ones) for eating fatty foods. The success of such programs largely depends on how motivated a person is to make changes in their diet.
For some, the motivation is the fear of health if they already have cancer or heart disease, or the patient is at risk for such diseases with high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides. For others, the motivation is the suffering of animals on dairy farms. Such farms also produce huge amounts of manure and other waste that poisons the air and water. But for most, a combination of all three factors is decisive. Therefore, whenever you want to eat a piece of cheese, you will be armed with knowledge of the physiological reasons for this desire. You can easily remember why you decided to eliminate dairy products from your diet. Stock up on the best vegan cheeses (tapioca cheese is an ingenious solution) to sprinkle on a dish or eat a whole piece. There are wonderful feta and blue cheese oatmeal. You can discover many flavors while staying within the confines of a plant-based diet.