According to a study, a group of neurons located in the amygdala of the brain would be responsible for our cravings for eating too much fat and too much sugar, even when we are not hungry.
- The amygdala, located near the hippocampus, plays a vital role in managing our emotions such as our fear and anxiety reactions.
- 800 million adults worldwide suffered from obesity in 2021, according to figures from the League Against Obesity.
We do not always control our cravings for sweets and junk food…Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have indeed discovered that a group of neurons drives us to engage in hedonic eating – when we eat for pleasure rather than to survive. Their study was published in Nature Neuroscience.
Manipulating These Neurons Leads to Healthier Eating Behavior
Scientists did an experiment on mice, which like us, may tend to find foods high in fats and sugars tastier and eat without being hungry.
When the team turned off these specific neurons located in the amygdala, the mice were no longer attracted to unhealthy foods that previously tempted them: “They ate with pleasure and remained healthy“says Professor Dr. Bo Li of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL).”Not only did they stop gaining weight, but they also seemed to be much healthier overall.“
Obesity: this approach could be effective in combating
Indeed, deactivating these neurons reduced overeating and protected against obesity, but the positive effects didn’t stop there: it also stimulated the animals’ physical activity, leading to weight loss and better metabolic health. .
This finding could provide a strategy for effective obesity treatments with minimal side effects, the study authors said:Identifying the brain circuits that control eating is important for developing better treatment options for people struggling to control their weight“, explained Dr. Li.
