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A recent study, published in the scientific journal Nature Metabolism and led by the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), the Helmholtz Research Institute in Munich and the University Hospital of Tubingen, has shed new light on the causes of the obesity epidemic. This work suggests that the origin of the problem could be related to alterations in insulin sensitivity at the brain level, which implies that the brain plays a crucial role in the development of this condition.
Brain alterations caused by junk food
The findings of the study indicate that just five days of junk food consumption - including snacks, sweets, soft drinks and other ultra-processed products - is enough to alter brain patterns in healthy individuals
These alterations affect both insulin resistance and the brain's reward system, which is critical in food choices. This suggests that an unhealthy diet not only physically impacts us, but also changes how we perceive and respond to food.
Public health implications
The research highlights the urgent need to address unhealthy eating from a more holistic perspective, considering not only the physical effects but also the neurological implications
Understanding how eating habits can alter our brains opens up new avenues for developing effective strategies in the prevention and treatment of obesity. This approach could be key to combating an epidemic that affects millions of people worldwide.