Research suggests high-fat diet reduces food pleasure

A UC Berkeley study reveals that a steady diet of high-fat foods reduces the pleasure of eating, which may contribute to obesity.

Researchers found that obese individuals experience less dopamine-driven enjoyment from junk food, possibly due to lower levels of neurotensin, a brain peptide linked to pleasure.

Restoring neurotensin levels—through diet changes or genetic methods—can help revive food-related pleasure and promote weight loss. 

How?
Mice on high-fat diets lost interest in high-calorie treats, but when their neurotensin levels were restored, they regained enjoyment and ate more mindfully.

The discovery could lead to new obesity treatments by addressing the brain’s reward system, making healthy eating more satisfying and reducing overeating habits.