Junk Food Fuels Anxiety

“Summary: A high-fat diet can disrupt gut bacteria, alter behavior, and influence brain chemicals in ways that increase anxiety. The study found that rats fed a high-fat diet showed less diversity in gut bacteria and higher expression of genes associated with stress and anxiety. This suggests that unhealthy eating habits may not only lead to weight gain but also negatively impact mental health.

When stressed out, many of us turn to junk food for solace. But new University of Colorado Boulder research suggests this strategy may backfire.

The study found that in animals, a high-fat diet disrupts resident gut bacteria, alters behavior and, through a complex pathway connecting the gut to the brain, influences brain chemicals in ways that fuel anxiety.”

Read the full article at Neuroscience News

 

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