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Eating junk food like samosas or burgers when feeling stressed out can actually elevate anxiety levels, researchers said on Monday.
When under stress, people tend to turn to high-calorie food for solace. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder has found that indulging in high-fat diets during stressful times can disrupt gut bacteria, alter behavior, and influence brain chemicals, thereby increasing anxiety.
Lead author Christopher Lowry, a professor of integrative physiology at CU Boulder, highlighted the significant impact of diet on mental health. “To think that just a high-fat diet could alter the expression of these genes in the brain is extraordinary,” Lowry remarked. “The high-fat group essentially had the molecular signature of a high anxiety state in their brain.”
The study, published in the journal Biological Research, involved assessing the microbiome, or gut bacteria, of animals subjected to a high-fat diet. Compared to a control group, the animals consuming a high-fat diet not only gained weight but also exhibited significantly less diversity in their gut bacteria.
Furthermore, the high-fat diet group showed higher expression of three genes involved in the production and signaling of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with stress and anxiety. While serotonin is often termed the “feel-good brain chemical,” certain subsets of serotonin neurons, when activated, can induce anxiety-like responses in animals.
Lowry theorizes that an unhealthy microbiome compromises the gut lining, allowing bacteria to enter the body’s circulation and communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve, which connects the gastrointestinal tract to the brain. “If you think about human evolution, it makes sense,” Lowry explained. “We are hard-wired to really notice things that make us sick so we can avoid those things in the future.”
Notably, not all fats are detrimental. Researchers emphasized that healthy fats, such as those found in fish, olive oil, nuts, and seeds, possess anti-inflammatory properties and are beneficial for the brain.
As this study underscores the intricate link between diet and mental health, it provides a crucial reminder to be mindful of our eating habits, especially during times of stress. Choosing healthier options could be a key strategy in managing anxiety and maintaining overall well-being.
