Consumption of massive amounts of sugar, salt, caffeine and fried foods have a drastic effect on homeostasis. The body reacts as it would to any addiction, powerful cravings override the body’s natural needs. Also food allergies can cause addiction due to homeostatic disturbance.  You usually feel better when eating the food you are addicted to, however you may exhibit symptoms of feeling irritable, gas, nausea, depression or headache the next day, even in a few hours or minutes after you have eaten the food.

Milk, wheat and eggs are the most common allergic foods. Each contain large protein molecules with strong glue-like bonds. Many food allergens are the undigested protein fragments of meat, dairy products, wheat and eggs. If the appropriate enzyme necessary for digestion of these protein molecules is not present, they enter the blood undigested. In the bloodstream these protein fragments cause the immune system to respond, attacking these fragments as if they were invaders. Homeostasis has been imbalance and if these foods are continually eaten, the body will become dependant for homeostatic balance causing an allergen-based food addiction.

The brain also maintains homeostatic balance. Eating natural food allows the brain chemistry to function normally. Sugar, alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate cause imbalances in the brain’s normal chemistry. Neurotransmitters are proteins that electrically connect the nerve cells of the brain. In certain people, chocolate induces a neurotransmitter high creating daily cravings for chocolate. Some binge on sweets and starches for the serotin effect, which acts as a mild sedative. Just like drugs, these experiences are short-lived, resulting in the need for more of the substance that caused the imbalance in the first place.