Bob CollinsUnrelated — perhaps — stories today from Planet Junkfood.
A study of monkeys, the New York Times reports today — finds that given the choice of junk food or something more nutritious, monkeys on the lower rung of the social ladder will not only choose junk food, but dive headfirst into the stuff.
For the monkeys the situation seems simple. They get some sort of comfort that is particularly appealing to the subordinate monkeys. One possibility is that the fatty foods help block the monkeys’ stress responses. Studies with rodents have shown that high-calorie foods cause a metabolic change that tamps the release of stress hormones like cortisol.
Meanwhile, at the Metrodome, the Twins are trying an all-you-can-eat promotion. For an additional $12 per ticket, you can dive headfirst into the stuff. And that’s what people did.
Insert monkey joke here.
