Dr. Nicole Avena

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Magyarország
Gyor
Dr. Nicole Avena

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Dr. Nicole Avena is a research neuroscientist/psychologist and author studying food addiction, obesity and eating disorders. http://www.DrNicoleAvena.com
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Her new book, Why Diets Fail, will be released by Ten Speed/Crown later this year.

04/11/2026

Did you know that research suggests sugar can activate some of the same brain reward pathways involved in addiction? 🧠🍬

I am honored to be featured in this “Ask the Expert with Dr. Kim” interview. In this interview, I discuss the science behind cravings, food addiction, and why understanding our relationship with food requires more than simply talking about willpower.

Check out the full interview here: https://suncloudhealth.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Ask-the-Expert-Nicole-Avena.pdf.

29/10/2026

🍬 Talked with The New York Times about whether it's better to eat your Halloween candy all at once or slowly over a few weeks.

😵 A big binge can leave you bloated, irritable and tired within about an hour.
👀 A big stash on the counter tends to get eaten mindlessly.
🎃 Keep the candy you love and give away the rest (the ones you're only eating because they're there).

💬 "Be intentional about it, that way you can really enjoy it."

🔗 Full article at the link in my bio.

28/10/2026

I shared a few things I keep in my own medicine cabinet with HuffPost (vitamin C, zinc cold melts, melatonin).

Vitamin C is helpful for more than immune support--it's an antioxidant that can help reduce risk factors for heart disease and help prevent iron deficiency. Zinc melts are what I reach for at the first tickle in my throat. And melatonin can help on nights when travel or stress makes it hard to fall asleep. If sleep trouble lasts more than a week, check in with your doctor.

Full article: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/products-medicine-cabinet-ud_l_6ad8f1bfe4b04f71533e3203

27/10/2026

I spoke with Newsweek about a new study from Deakin and Monash Universities on diet and depression in older adults. They followed 7,220 adults aged 70+ for almost 6 years--people eating 4 or more servings a day of ultraprocessed food had 12% higher rates of depressive symptoms, and an anti-inflammatory diet was linked to lower risk.

What stood out to me is that genetic risk for depression didn't change the relationship. Genes aren't something we can change, but what we eat is.

This is about prevention and risk reduction, not a replacement for treatment. Cutting back on ultraprocessed foods (packaged snacks, processed meats, ready meals) and eating more vegetables, fruit, fish, legumes and whole grains is a reasonable, low-risk step at any age.

Full article: https://www.newsweek.com/what-older-adults-eat-may-affect-their-risk-of-depression-12604781

26/10/2026

Halloween is coming, and so is the candy. I joined Melinda Hemmelgarn on Food Sleuth Radio to talk about what sugar does to the brain and what the research says about food addiction.

We covered a lot in 30 minutes (sugar, artificial sweeteners, ultra-processed foods, practical ways to cut back on added sugar) -- most of which is also the focus of my latest book, Sugarless.

The episode airs Thursday, October 29 at 5 PM Central on KOPN, then nationally on Pacifica community radio stations and PRX the following week. You can also find Food Sleuth Radio as a podcast on Apple, Spotify, and Transistor.

Thanks to Melinda for having me on.

23/10/2026

One of the best ways to curb cravings is to stay feeling fuller longer, and that means getting more protein in your meals!

Unlike the traditional BLT, which has little protein, this fresh and tasty version adds more protein to the mix from eggs. This dish may become your go-to for lunch or a quick dinner at home!

19/10/2026

We’re excited to share our new study in Frontiers in Public Health, exploring the relationship between emotional eating and food addiction symptoms among college students in the U.S. and South Korea.

Our findings highlight how eating behaviors may intersect with emotions and cultural context.

Great work by the first author for seeing this project through all the way from a JP to a publication!

Read the full study here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1890961/full.

08/10/2026

Can how fit you were as a kid shape your mental health decades later? 🏃‍♀️🧠

I talked with Newsweek about a new 30-year study that followed more than 1,000 people from childhood into their 40s. It found that kids with higher cardiorespiratory fitness had a 13% lower risk of depression as adults.

One important caveat: this shows an association, not that low fitness in childhood causes depression in adulthood. Still, a few biological pathways could help explain the link, including lower inflammation, better regulation of stress hormones, and higher levels of BDNF, a protein that helps neurons survive and grow. Fit kids are also more likely to stay active as they get older.

The encouraging part is that fitness is modifiable, which is what makes this worth acting on. In practice, that means protecting daily PE and physical activity in schools, making play accessible regardless of family income, and paying close attention to girls, who tend to drop out of physical activity earlier.

Full article at the link in my bio 🔗

05/10/2026

Could your next snack help you feel a little less stressed?

Certain foods may help support your mood, manage stress, and give your brain the nutrients it needs to feel its best.

Curious what to put on your plate? Read the full story for foods linked to stress relief, anxiety support, and dopamine production.

Tap the link here to read the full article: https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/mental-health/foods-to-release-stress-fast-curb-anxiety-and-boost-dopamine.

30/09/2026

Can what's on your plate affect your mood? 🧠🥦

I spoke with Newsweek about a new UCSF pilot study: people who cut their ultra-processed food intake by 85% saw their depression scores drop by about 60%.

It's an early, small study, so it can't prove ultra-processed foods cause depression. But the link keeps showing up across different populations and study designs, and at this point it's hard to dismiss.

The good news: you don't need to be perfect. Small, consistent swaps add up:
✔️ Cook at home a little more often
✔️ Choose whole or minimally processed options
✔️ Cut back on sugary drinks

And to be clear, diet should be part of the conversation when treating depression, alongside therapy and medication, not as a replacement for them.

Read the full article: https://www.newsweek.com/cutting-ultra-processed-food-could-improve-depression-study-12486897

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http://www.DrNicoleAvena.com/, https://linktr.ee/drnicoleavena

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