Unfortunately, it is very likely that someone around you, or even you yourself, is currently on a diet with the aim of losing weight. This practice is very common in our society due to the importance given to the body – more than to health itself -, physical appearance and practically unattainable beauty standards.
More and more studies are investigating the relationship between diet and brain functions. Thus, throughout this article we will focus on explaining How does dieting influence our brain?. To do this, we will review the relationship between diet and brain health in general terms.
In addition, we will briefly talk about some specific diets and their effects on the brain and we will delve into a study that talks about the impact of a low-calorie diet maintained for 8 weeks. Finally, we will talk about the physical and emotional impact.
With the advances in science and the importance of the topic of the impact that nutrition and food have on our body, today we have enough scientific evidence to ensure that the relationship between food and the brain is key. The fats, proteins, glucose, nutrients and amino acids found in the brain come from the foods we eat.
The human brain is a highly complex organ and aspects such as its development or functioning can be influenced by many factors. The food we consume is one of those aspects. Diet is not only a source of energy, it also influences our mental, physical and emotional well-being.
More and more studies show that diet interferes with aspects such as memory and mood. In addition, diet is also a key aspect for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
Specific diets and their effects on the brain
It is true that we can find studies in which the results obtained on the same type of diet are opposite. When this happens, it is interesting to review who carried out or financed the study because of the possible interests that may lie behind it.
In general terms, There seems to be a consensus when talking about the benefits that the Mediterranean diet brings to our brain. As it is a varied diet, with a high presence of fruits, vegetables, fish and olive oil, it is associated with an improvement in cognitive function and also memory.
On the contrary, diets based on a high consumption of ultra-processed foods and high levels of sugar are related to an increase in memory problems and a greater likelihood of suffering from neurodegenerative diseases.
Impact of low calorie diet maintained for 8 weeks
Last June, a study was published in the journal Obesity in which the brain impact of a low-calorie diet carried out for 8 weeks was studied. This research was carried out with 25 people, 15 women and 10 men, with an average age of 46 years. Of those 25, 9 people had type 2 diabetes.
Neuroimaging techniques were used before and after the diet to assess the changes that occurred in brain connections. The results were revealing. Significant changes were observed in connectivity especially in brain areas related to reward and emotional regulation.
On the other hand, the participants reported a greater desire to eat and an increase in appetite after finishing the diet. In fact, right at the end of the dietary intervention, the participants were offered a buffet meal and it was observed that the intake was higher and there was a high consumption of fatty foods.
In relation to diabetic people, differences were observed in brain connectivity compared to the rest of the participants. The results suggest that Diabetes may influence how the brain responds to diet changes.
Finally, it is important to keep in mind that the sample was carried out with 25 people and over a period of 8 weeks. Therefore, it is necessary to continue researching the possible effects in the medium and long term, as well as with larger and more representative samples of the population.
The impact of diets on physical and emotional health
Diets, depending on the approach with which they are carried out, can provide great benefits or, on the contrary, have a serious impact on a person’s physical and emotional health.
Highly restrictive diets can have serious health consequences. On an emotional level, there may be mood alterations and high levels of stress and anxiety. In the most complex cases, eating disorders can be triggered. Furthermore, dietary restriction can lead to nutritional imbalances and generate physical consequences of different intensities.
On the other hand, understanding a diet as a balanced eating style that is prioritized over other types of less balanced styles, but with flexibility and awareness of one’s own needs can have great benefits.
In this sense, aspects such as those already mentioned stand out (improvement in cognitive functions and reduction in the risk of neurological diseases), but others may also occur such as improvement in mood, reduction in stress levels and greater well-being. physical.
