Scientists from China studied 25 obese volunteers. For 62 days, they participated in an intermittent energy restriction (IER) program, a regimen that involves closely monitoring caloric intake and intermittent fasting on some days. Study published in the journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.

Study participants lost 7.6 kilograms, or an average of 7.8% of their body weight. The authors also found changes in the activity of areas of the brain associated with obesity and in the balance of gut bacteria. It is currently unclear what causes this effect and whether the gut affects the brain or vice versa.

What is certain, however, is that organs are closely connected, so treating specific areas of the brain may be a way to control food intake. Changes were documented in areas that are important for appetite regulation and addiction. Moreover, changes in the gut microbiome analyzed in the study participants were associated with specific brain regions.

“The microbiome produces neurotransmitters and neurotoxins that enter the brain through nerves and blood circulation,” the authors explained. “In turn, the brain controls eating behavior, while nutrients from our diet change the composition of the gut microbiome. The next question to be answered is how the mechanism works in obese people.”

Recently a doctor toldHow one meal a day affects the body. It turned out that in general it helps only in the short term.

Olesya Mayevskaya