Obesity specialist compares health risks of 'Ddujjonku' vs 'butter tteok': 'Which is more dangerous?'

A leading South Korean obesity specialist has weighed in on the health implications of two trendy desserts, the chewy cookie 'Ddujjonku' and the butter rice cake 'butter tteok.' Dr. Park Yong-woo, a family medicine professor at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, shared his findings in a YouTube video comparing the risks associated with these popular treats. Dr. Park, who generally avoids sugary foods, tasted both desserts and noted the butter tteok was less sweet than expected, with a strong butter flavor and slight chewiness. He described the Ddujjonku's texture as disjointed. He questioned the widespread enthusiasm for Ddujjonku, suggesting it might be more about following a trend than genuine taste preference, and expressed confusion about why everyone felt compelled to try it. Dr. Park explained that such desserts are consumed for pleasure rather than nutrition, and their combination of sugar, fat, and sodium intensely stimulates the brain's reward center, leading to cravings even when not hungry. He warned that consuming these desserts without accompanying salads or protein can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, followed by reactive hypoglycemia as insulin surges, prompting further eating. When asked which dessert was more dangerous, Dr. Park stated, "Aren't they both the same?" comparing the risk to falling from the 50th floor versus the 40th. He emphasized that the context of eating matters, suggesting that occasional enjoyment followed by a return to healthy eating is not problematic. For immediate weight management, he recommended reducing sugar intake and prioritizing protein.

“

Ddujjonku vs butter tteok? A diet doctor tries them himself