Fig. 11.

Effects of hyperpalatable foods on mental processes. Hyperpalatable “junk foods” are typically ultra-processed and unhealthful (i.e., calorie dense, nutrient poor, and contain high fat, high sugar, and high salt) [41]. Consumption of hyperpalatable, unhealthful junk food may help sooth mental stress and depression on a short-term basis by (a) stimulating the reward center (i.e., ventral tegmental area) [42] via release of hypothalamic endorphins and activating mu-opioid receptors (MOR) that enhance dopamine release (i.e. “feel good” hormone). Over time, MOR dopamine interactions may become dysfunctional with diminished opioid-dependent rewarding effects of eating, which may prompt even more consumption of hyperpalatable foods to achieve the same pleasurable effects (i.e., addition-like eating behavior) [[43], [44], [45]]; (b) fulfilling food pleasure cues (e.g., sensory pleasures such as food appearance, odor, taste, and texture [46]; and (c) submitting to the distraction of visualized hyperpalatable foods (e.g., advertisement or strategic placement in grocery stores) towards a desire for personal escape (e.g., combat boredom and temporarily improve depressed mood) [47,48].