Today: 8 October 2025
28 June 2024
1 min read

Gut Bacteria Linked to Compulsive Eating, Obesity

They found an increase in bacteria belonging to a group called the Proteobacteria phylum and a decrease in bacteria belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum in the food-addicted mice…reports Asian Lite News

Worried about your food addiction? Take heart, a team of researchers has identified a specific gut bacteria associated with both mice and human compulsive eating disorder and obesity.

In the research, presented on Thursday at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2024, the international team identified bacteria that play a beneficial role in preventing food addiction.

While until now, the mechanisms underlying this behavioural disorder were largely unknown, the new findings, also published in the journal Gut, could be used as potential new treatments for this obesity-related behaviour.

“Potential new treatments could involve using beneficial bacteria and dietary supplementation,” said Rafael Maldonado, from the Laboratory of Neuropharmacology-NeuroPhar at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain.

In the study, the team investigated the gut bacteria in mice who were and were not addicted to food.

They found an increase in bacteria belonging to a group called the Proteobacteria phylum and a decrease in bacteria belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum in the food-addicted mice.

These mice also had a decrease in the amount of another type of bacteria called Blautia from the Bacillota phylum.

Similar to the findings in mice, decreases in the Actinobacteria phylum and Blautia were seen among people with addiction to food and increase in the Proteobacteria phylum.

“The findings in both mice and humans suggested that specific microbiota could be protective in preventing food addiction,” said Elena Martin-Garcia, from the varsity.

ALSO READ-Prolonged Sitting Equals Dangers of Smoking, Obesity

Previous Story

Jitendra Kumar’s Path from IIT to Bollywood Stardom

Next Story

Arousal’s Influence on Brain Scan Accuracy

Latest from Health

Generic Drugs Boost Hypertension Control

By setting price ceilings on essential medicines based on average market prices, India successfully kept out-of-pocket costs low while still ensuring manufacturers made sustainable profits India’s focused public health strategies—centered on generic

Lower BP Target Could Benefit Indians

Beyond salt reduction, experts stressed that controlling hypertension requires a comprehensive approach. Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, reducing alcohol intake, quitting tobacco, and consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits

Silent Diabetes Crisis Unfolds

The report further highlights that even for those who do receive a diagnosis, the challenges of care and management remain significant A startling number of young adults across the globe are living

Physiotherapists Barred From ‘Doctor’ Title

The DGHS letter cited past legal pronouncements and advisory orders from courts and councils that had already prohibited physiotherapists and occupational therapists from using the title The Directorate General of Health Services
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Prenatal Stress May Raise Depression and Obesity Risks in Kids

The body’s stress management system, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA)

Smart Eating for a Strong Heart

Lentils, legumes, chickpeas, beans, and peas stand out as excellent