Is junk food habit-forming?

some scientists think so. a princeton university study of rats found that many of them became anxious and had the shakes after the sugar in their diets was removed. these symptoms are similar to those of people who once used illegal drugs and are experiencing pain from discontinuing their use.

researchers said that high fat foods may release “pleasure chemicals” in the brain that mimic the effects of drugs like opiates. these are drugs that can be used as pain relievers like morphine. some people also abuse them in the form of illegal drugs like heroin. using opiates for too long can cause people to form an addiction, or habit. scientist and researchers say that people can also become dependent on sweet food.

another study from the university of wisconsin medical school observed how a group of rats behaved after they had sweet, salty, and fatty food. scientists then injected the rats with a fake form of the opiates the brain produces on its own. the rats ate up to six times more fat when they received access to the junk food again. researchers said the lasting changes in the rats’ brain chemistry were similar to those of people who have abused morphine or heroin.

in yet another study, rats were given unlimited access to candy bars, bacon, pound cake, and other junk food. they quickly gained weight and eating became so compulsive for the rats that they kept doing it even when their legs were receiving an electric shock as a warning to stop eating.

the junk food was then taken away and replaced by healthier food. surprisingly, the rats refused to eat anything at all for two weeks. again, researchers noticed changes in the rat’s brains that resulted from their unhealthy diets. other rats in the study were fed healthy food and had limited access to junk food. they did not eat compulsively.

there is not yet scientific research that shows how this relates to the human mind, but many researchers have suggested that severe weight gain in humans may be linked to changes in the brain caused by diets high in fat and sugar.

question 1:
based on the evidence from the passage, what can be concluded?

question 1 options:

a)
human beings and rats have similar brain reactions to high sugar foods.

b)
the rats in the last study preferred healthy food over the junk food options.

c)
if the rats in the last study couldn't have junk food, they would rather starve.

d)
fast food should be regulated just like other illegal drugs that people us

question 2
what evidence from the passage supports the claim that junk food could be addictive?

question 2 options:

a)
surprisingly, the rats refused to eat anything at all for two weeks.

b)
researchers said the lasting changes in the rats' brain chemistry were similar to that of people who have abused morphine or heroin.

c)
another study from the university of wisconsin medical school observed how rats behaved after they had sweet, salty, and fatty food.

d)
in yet another study, rats were given unlimited access to candy bars, bacon, pound cake, and other junk food.