Is stress the new junk food?

Is stress the new junk food?


Is stress the new junk food? When it comes to the digestive system, the answer may be yes.

Recently published research shows stress exposure transforms the gut microorganisms that are essential to digestive health much like a high-fat diet does. The research, carried out in female mice by researchers at Brigham Young University, found stress isn’t just a psychological phenomenon. For the first time, researchers linked stress to female-specific changes in gut bacteria. And there is reason to believe the discovery could have significant implications for humans, the researchers said.

During the study, the researchers exposed half of a group of 8-week-old male and female mice to a high-fat diet. Four months later, all of the mice were exposed to mild stress for 18 days. DNA from the digestive tract was analyzed before and after the stress.

While the males were more anxious and less active on the high-fat diet, the most striking findings were in females: The ones who were exposed to stress had a gut bacteria profile resembled a high-fat diet.

Researchers say the findings for women suggest there is a gender discrepancy in the way gut microbes respond to stress in women compared with men. Women tend to have higher rates of anxiety and depression, and that could affect the digestive tract.

Stress can be harmful in many ways. While researchers have to further study the relationship between stress, gender and the gut, researchers say the physical changes caused by stress are notable.

No matter what path you take for stress reduction — such as meditation, exercise or healthier eating — your gut might benefit from it.

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