What rats teach us about junk food

A new study shows that rats can get hooked on junk food the same way they can become addicted to cocaine, forcing the question of what this means for humans. Can we actually form addictions to junk food?

Foods like Ding-Dongs are enriched with “rewarding” components, making us want to eat more of them even if they are bad for us. Paul Kenny, associate professor at the Scripps Research Institute, was the lead investigator in the study. He joins us to explain the research.