Can’t resist the call of hot chips? Science tells us why

This article was originally published on New Idea Food.

A new study published in Cell Metabolism has revealed that foods which are high in carbohydrates and fat actually take over your decision making - even if you don't like them.

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According to Yale University researcher Dana Small, "humans evolved to carefully define the value of food" in order to make survival decisions. 

"Our participants were very accurate at estimating calories from fat and very poor at estimating calories from carbohydrate and our study shows that when both nutrients are combined, the brain seems to overestimate the energetic value of the food."

The study found that the brain's reward centre valued fat and carb-rich foods above others.

Researchers monitored the subject's brains while being shown photos of snacks with different combinations of fat, sugar and carbs. 

Subjects were given a limited amount of money to spend on their favourite foods, and they were willing to spend more for foods high in carbs and fat.

Researchers believe that the findings could help to explain our current obesity epidemic.

"In the modern food environment that is rife with processed foods high in fat and carbohydrate - like donuts, French fries, chocolate bars, and potato chips – this reward potentiation may backfire to promote overeating and obesity," Dana said.