London, Oct 28 A diet of junk food is almost as addictive as taking a drug like heroin, warn scientists.

In the study, researchers found that regularly eating doughnuts, burgers and chocolate cakes can become a substitute for happiness.

And as years pass, a diet rich in these junk foods can lead bingers to effectively become hooked - just like a drug addict, reports The Daily Express.

To reach the conclusion, Dr Paul Kenny, a neuroscientist, carried out tests on rats.

The research shows how dangerous high fat and high sugar foods can be.

"You lose control. It's the hallmark of addiction," he said.

"This is the most complete evidence to date that suggests obesity and drug addiction have common neuro-biological foundations," said Paul Johnson, Dr Kenny's work colleague. (ANI)