Intermittent fasting helps overweight adults lose weight. This diet also induces coordinated changes in gut bacteria composition and brain activity.
According to Oxu.Az, "Science Daily" reported the study. 25 volunteers with an average age of 27 participated. They followed an intermittent energy restriction program for 62 days.
In the first phase, participants consumed only a quarter of their daily minimal calorie needs. In the second phase, a limit of 500 calories for women and 600 for men was applied. By the end, participants lost an average of 7.6 kg, about 7.8% of their initial body weight.
The study shows that high-fat diets negatively alter the brain-gut-microbiome axis. During and after weight loss, positive changes occur in the gut microbiome and brain regions involved in addiction. Using fMRI, scientists recorded reduced activity in brain areas responsible for appetite and addictive behavior.
At the same time, beneficial bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Parabacteroides distasonis increased, while harmful Escherichia coli decreased. Co-author Yunli Lin stated that abnormal gut microbiome can affect brain regions involved in addiction, completely changing eating behavior.
Analyses proved that the abundance of certain microbes directly correlates with activity in the left orbital inferior frontal gyrus, responsible for executive function and willpower. Other bacteria positively correlated with brain areas involved in attention, emotional regulation, and learning.
Researchers emphasize that successful weight loss is a complex biological process. It involves not only fat loss but also interactions between the microbiome and nervous system. Dr. Syanonin Van noted that the microbiome secretes neurotransmitters that reach the brain via nerves and blood. The brain, in turn, influences bacterial composition, controlling eating habits.
Additional studies confirm that intermittent fasting directly affects microflora diversity. Scientists plan to identify critical brain regions and bacterial species for long-term weight maintenance.
