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Many people try to lift their spirits by eating delicious foods like pizza and hamburgers when they are stressed. However, research has shown that high-fat diets can actually increase feelings of anxiety and depression.

 

According to a recent study by a research team at the University of Colorado Boulder in the United States, a high-fat diet destroys gut bacteria, which in turn affects brain chemicals in a way that induces anxiety.

 

Christopher Rory, a professor of integrative physiology at the University of Colorado Boulder, said, "Most people know that high-fat foods like pizza or hamburgers are not good for health, but they usually only think about weight-related aspects." He added, "Understanding that it also affects the brain increases the awareness of the risks." The research findings were published in the academic journal 'Biological Research.'

The research team divided the experimental mice into two groups: one received a standard diet with about 11% fat, and the other was given a high-fat animal diet (45% fat) for nine weeks. Afterwards, stool samples were examined to analyze the gut bacteria. The results showed a significant decrease in gut bacterial diversity in the mice fed the high-fat diet. It is generally known that greater bacterial diversity is associated with better health. In particular, mice fed the high-fat diet had a higher abundance of the harmful fungus 'Firmicutes'.

 

And the research team confirmed that in the high-fat group, the expression of genes involved in producing and transmitting the neurotransmitter serotonin in brain regions related to stress and anxiety was elevated. Serotonin is commonly known as a "mood-enhancing brain chemical," but the research team explained that when a specific subset of neurons is activated, it can induce anxiety-like responses in animals.

 

The research team believed that changes in gut fungi and brain chemicals are correlated. The team stated, "Harmful microorganisms damage the intestinal wall and penetrate into the circulatory system, affecting the brain." They also added, "In particular, exposure to a high-fat diet from a young age can make the brain more vulnerable to anxiety."

 

The research team also added that not all fats are bad.

Healthy fats found in fish, olive oil, and nuts positively affect the brain, and good fats can offset some of the bad fats.

 

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Pizza is one of the foods enjoyed by people of all ages and genders.

I'm thinking about eating pizza this weekend.

 

Eating occasionally should be okay.

 

It doesn't mean relieving stress through eating.

Depression and anxiety can increase even more.