Research suggests a link between the microbiome and addictive eating behaviors, with potential for new treatments.
A recent study highlights the role of gut bacteria in triggering binge eating and contributing to obesity. Through experiments conducted in both mice and humans, researchers discovered a connection between certain microbiome patterns and an increased likelihood of compulsive eating behaviors.
The study, presented at the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and published in the journal Gut, found that individuals and mice prone to binge eating had similar levels of both detrimental and beneficial bacteria. One key bacteria, Blautia, was identified as being protective against compulsive eating behaviors. When the number of Blautia bacteria was increased in mice, their tendency to develop binge eating was prevented.
Elena Martin-Garcia, the senior author of the study and associate professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, emphasized the significance of these findings. She explained that boosting Blautia levels could serve as a protective factor against food addiction, which is not formally recognized as a clinical diagnosis but is widely acknowledged as a struggle for some individuals, especially when it comes to controlling cravings for processed foods like sweets and snacks.
The research team’s next steps include investigating whether enhancing Blautia in humans could help reduce binge eating and weight gain. The discovery opens potential avenues for future treatments that could address addictive eating behaviors by targeting the gut microbiome.
