Health Watch: Sweet or savory? How comfort foods impact your brain

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - When stress strikes, many of us turn to comfort foods for quick relief.

Whether sweet or savory, these indulgences may soothe temporarily, but experts warn they could do more harm than good to both our physical and mental health over time.

Dr. Uma Naidoo, Director of Nutritional & Lifestyle Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, explained that comfort foods — particularly those high in sugar — activate the brain’s reward pathways, similar to addictive substances like drugs.

“The first thing that happens is you’re not satiated, so you want more of that same food,” Dr. Naidoo said. “Unfortunately, because these foods cause high blood sugar levels over time, this — over the course of your life — can actually impact your brain and lead to things like atrophy or brain atrophy. So it actually is damaging to your brain.”

So how can you break the cycle? Instead of eliminating indulgent foods all together, which can backfire by increasing cravings, Dr. Naidoo recommends small swaps. Stock up on brain-friendly snacks like blueberries or pair a clementine with a piece of dark chocolate for a satisfying treat.

She also suggests following the 80/20 rule, which is 80% of the time eating healthy foods and 20% of the time allowing for indulgence during special occasions or when life gets hectic.

By making gradual changes and embracing balance, you can enjoy comfort foods without compromising your mental or physical health.

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