A recent study from UCLA Health discovered that women who feel lonely show increased brain activity in areas related to cravings and motivation for eating when exposed to pictures of high-calorie foods, such as sugary treats. This group of women also displayed unhealthy eating habits and suffered from poor mental health.Dr. Pana Gupta, a co-director of the UCLA Goodman-Luskin Microbiome Center, conducted a study on the effects of loneliness, particularly in the context of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to explore the connection between loneliness, brain function, eating patterns, and mental well-being. While the link between obesity and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety is well-known, Gupta’s research focused on understanding the specific neural pathways involved in these connections and how loneliness influences behaviors such as binge-eating as a way of coping.of high-calorie foods and asked to rate their desire to eat them. The researchers found that women with higher social isolation scores had a stronger desire to eat the high-calorie foods compared to women with lower scores. Overall, the study suggests that social isolation may have a negative impact on both physical and mental health. The researchers hope that these findings will encourage further research on the link between social isolation and health outcomes.The study compared people’s reactions to different images of food and non-food, sweet food and non-food, and savory food and non-food. The participants’ brain activity was monitored using MRI scans while they looked at these images.
The results showed that the women who felt lonely had increased brain activity in the areas related to craving sugary foods and decreased activity in the region responsible for controlling eating behavior.
Gupta stated, “These findings are intriguing because they support what we already suspected. When people are alone or feeling lonely, it affects more than just their eating habits.”
Individuals tend to underestimate the severity of their cravings, the amount they eat, and their overall appetite, especially for unhealthy foods.
Xiaobei Zhang, a postdoctoral researcher and the leader of the study, explained that an increase in cravings typically leads to higher food consumption, as well as heightened levels of anxiety and depression. This can create a harmful pattern of overeating and negative mental symptoms, forming a vicious cycle.
The team of researchers suggested that a comprehensive approach involving both the mind and body could help individuals break this cycle. This may involve recognizing feelings of loneliness and seeking connection with others, or practicing self-compassion, depending on the individual. Another approach could involve holistic mind-body interventions as a potential solution.The recommendation is to opt for healthier food options, instead of giving in to the craving for sweet and high-calorie foods that are highly addictive, according to Gupta.
Gupta’s upcoming research will focus on studying other biological indicators such as metabolites, microbiome, and inflammatory signatures linked to loneliness.
