So first off the callback to Lustig’s emphasis on huge fructose loads got me to search for old discussions here on that. Here’s my original thinking looking in the way back machine-
And I still believe that is correct with two additional factors as well.
The first is again those hedonic and satiety centers and how ultraprocessed foods, often very sweet, definitely high hedonic value and low satiety, drive more intake overall. That is relevant to this comment:
It is simply difficult for many to eat a cookie.
But it is becoming increasingly clear to me that very high stimulation of sweet receptors (located broadly not just on the tongue) and the parts of the brain that react, very probably have harmful impacts whether that stimulation comes directly with large calorie loads or is completely non-nutritive. Beyond those other factors. Impact that seems to especially play out with chronic neurodegenerative morbidity and mortality.