Certain bacteria in the gut can increase people’s risk of hunger, which can lead to weight gain over time, a new study suggests. NBC reports.
In a series of experiments, mice and humans prone to overeating had similar levels of two types of bacteria in their guts – one harmful, the other beneficial.
In a report presented at the meeting of the Association of European Societies of Neurology, experts determined that by increasing the number of benign and beneficial bacteria Blautium, they managed to prevent monotonous and uncontrolled eating in mice.
The new findings are “very important because they show that this type of bacteria actually protects against the development of compulsive eating addiction,” says Elena Martín García, study participant and assistant professor at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona.
The gut talks to the brain
The team studied both mice and humans to see the similarities in the microbiomes.
Although food addiction is not recognized as a valid diagnosis, nutritionists know that many people find it very difficult to control their intake of ultra-processed foods, such as snacks and sweets.
Researchers aren’t sure how the bacteria protect against the development of compulsive eating, but they have some theories.
“We speculate that the gut talks to the brain and affects the function of some parts of the brain, such as the orbitofrontal cortex, which is responsible for self-control,” Martin-Garcia points out.
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