Barcelona, Spain – A recent study examining the relationship between gut bacteria and food addiction has unveiled intriguing findings that shed light on potential therapeutic approaches for obesity-related behaviors. Presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) Forum 2024 and published in the journal Gut, the study highlights specific gut bacteria linked to food addiction in mice and humans, as well as bacteria that may have protective effects against this phenomenon.
Researchers, led by Professor Elena Martín-García of Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, emphasized that factors contributing to food addiction, characterized by loss of control over food intake, include alterations in gut bacteria composition. The study marks a significant step in understanding the complex mechanisms underlying this behavioral disorder and could pave the way for novel treatments in the future.
Utilizing the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS 2.0), the team diagnosed food addiction in mice and humans based on criteria such as persistent food-seeking behavior and high motivation to obtain food. Analysis of gut bacteria in food-addicted mice revealed an increase in Proteobacteria and a decrease in Actinobacteria and Blautia. Similarly, humans classified as food-addicted exhibited comparable alterations in gut microbiota.
Notably, the study suggested that specific microbiota may play a protective role in preventing food addiction, with promising results observed following the administration of prebiotic substances. These findings underscore the intricate interplay between gut bacteria and brain function, offering new insights into the treatment of food addiction and related eating disorders.
Furthermore, investigations into the involvement of microRNAs in food addiction revealed potential protective factors against this disorder. Inhibiting specific miRNAs in the brain of mice led to enhanced vulnerability to food addiction, shedding light on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying eating control loss and related disorders.
The study’s significance lies in its contribution to the understanding of how gut bacteria influence brain function and vice versa, opening avenues for innovative therapeutic approaches for compulsive eating and food addiction. The findings have broader implications for addressing the global issue of eating disorders and highlight the importance of further research in this evolving field.