Scientists in Australia have confirmed that 'comfort food' can help in significantly reducing the stress. Some chocoholics already were aware of this fact.

The Professor of Pharmacology, Margaret Morris, said that when we eat foods that are rich in fat and sugar then the chemical composition of the brain can change and thereby reduce stress.

Professor Morris is from the University of 'NSW School of Medical Sciences'. He conducted a study of rats which showed that the effects of some previous traumatizing events can be removed through "unlimited access to yummy food".

He said, "We really don't know why that happens but there seems to be a biochemical link."

The research was initiated by divided the rats into different groups. One group grew up with normal contact with their mothers but the other group had lengthy periods of separation.

It was also found that rats with a more traumatic early life were found to have higher levels of stress hormones and very few steroid receptors in that part of the brain which controls behavior.