The link between nutrition and criminality
Introduction (100 words)
Conventional strategies for fighting crime focuses solely on social, economic, and psychological factors. Numerous studies and theories help explain the correlation between these factors, the incidence and prevalence of criminal activities, and the susceptibility of individuals to criminal behavior. However, criminologists have, over the years, ignored biochemical functioning as a major risk factor for criminal behavior. Studies on the correlation between nutrition and criminality have attracted a lot of attention lately. A substantial body of scientific evidence shows that malnutrition, diet, food additives, and food allergy have the potential to alter the functioning of the human brain and subsequently lead to the development of criminal behavior. Although nutrition is rarely considered a risk factor for criminality, it exhibits a positive correlation with the growth of criminal behavior.
Paragraph 1(100 words)
The perception that nutrition could be linked to the development of criminal behavior has been explored for decades. The earliest known study on the topic was published dates back to 1943. The outcome of the study which was published in Lancet – a British medical journal – linked hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) to murder. The authors of the report noted that low levels of blood sugar in the human body affected the mind’ capacity to make a rational judgment of situations (178). Subsequent studies on the topic have – in one way or another – supported the report published in Lancet. For example, a 1994 positron-emission tomography scan of the prefrontal cortex of 22 murder suspects carried out by Adrian Raine linked the deficit of blood sugar to their actions (179). Raine noted that hypoglycemia is a significant risk factor for the damage of prefrontal cortex and subsequently, the inability of individuals to act rationally. The observations made in these studies support the notion that nutrition has a significant impact on the development of criminal behavior.
Some studies attribute violent criminal behavior and homicide to allergic reactions to some food. Some contemporary criminology studies note that allergic reaction to food alters the functionality of the human brain, thereby increasing individuals’ affinity to criminal behavior. Most studies exploring this line of thought identify allergic reaction to milk, eggs, wheat, and citrus fruits as some of the prominent pathways of exposure to criminal activities and behavior (179). The chemicals released by the allergic reactions to these foods impede the functionality of the nervous system and higher faculties which predisposes the affected individuals to delinquent and impulsive behaviors. Some of these studies have tried to link the heavy drinking of sugared coffee to high levels of antisocial behavior. Nonetheless, the establishment of the link between coffee individuals’ affinity to criminal activities is a work in progress. Although some studies have intimated that heavy coffee drinkers are susceptible to criminal behavior, renowned researchers such as Mortimer Gross reported no such correlation in their studies on prison and non-prison populations (179). The conclusion inferred by Gross and other researchers were not generalizable and could not, therefore, be used to refute the link between nutrition and affinity to criminal behavior.
Conclusion
The relationship between nutrition and criminality has attracted the attention of criminologists who are keen to bridge the knowledge gap on the issue. Preliminary findings have noted that nutrition has modulating effect on delinquent and criminal behavior. The lack of enough blood sugar, allergic reactions to certain foods, and excessive consumption of stimulants are some the pathways through which individuals are predisposed to criminal behavior.