Research conducted in China has shown that this type of diet generates changes in the activity of obesity-related brain regions
OR intermittent fasting It is a type of food that still raises many doubts. For this reason it is normal that new scientific studies on the subject constantly emerge.
Recently, new Chinese research published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology has shown that intermittent fasting, which involves abstaining from food for about 16 to 24 hours, drinking only water, coffee and tea, can lead to changes in the brain.
Influences of intermittent fasting on the brain
In the experiment, 25 obese volunteers were analyzed for 62 days. They all followed the intermittent fasting diet and as well as losing, on average, around 7kg, or almost 8% of their body weight, the evidence also points to changes in the activity of regions of the brain linked to obesity and the production of intestinal bacteria.
According to neurosurgeon, neuroscientist and professor at the USP Faculty of Medicine, Fernando GomesThe changes observed in the study demonstrate the connection in the gut-brain axis.
“It’s not yet clear who is influencing whom, but the changes in brain activity – detected by functional magnetic resonance imaging – occurred in regions that regulate appetite and addiction, which occur in the inferior frontal orbital gyrus area of the brain,” he explains.
“Changes in the gut microbiome were also observed, analyzed through fecal samples and blood measurements,” he adds.
The scientists responsible for the study believe that the gut microbiome communicates with the brain in a complex and bidirectional way, as they observed that the microbiome produces neurotransmitters and neurotoxins that access the brain through nerves and blood circulation.
“This shows us, therefore, that intermittent fasting, in addition to promoting weight loss, can help the brain to work more in favor of food control and, thus, avoid binges on excess food, which lead to obesity” , concludes the doctor.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
