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Try as we might to avoid indulging in ice cream and biscuits, when things get tough we'll all too often reach for the Ben & Jerry's.But according to a new study, comfort eating isn't just an excuse to load up on sugar and carbs... it actually works.
Scientists from the University of New South Wales have been testing rats to see whether so-called 'comfort food' can change our mood.
By separating the rats from their mother for a short time, researchers were able to induce a degree of trauma.
They then fed half the rodents on a normal diet, while offering the other half, cakes, pies, biscuits and Chinese food.
And it turns out that those with the "comfort food" began to cheer up quickly.
The boffins believe that those high-sugar, high-fat treats work like antidepressant drugs on the brain, triggering a reaction that reduces our feelings of anxiety.
Margaret Morris, who led the study, told The Telegraph: "This discovery may be giving us a clue about a different way to tackle a range of conditions that affect mood and behaviour."
But before you go running to the fridge, remember that, unsurprisingly, the rats with the comforting diet were also considerably heavier.
