Khaberni - It was once said, "The way to a man's heart begins with his stomach," referring to good food as the key to the man. However, it appears that there is something new now, albeit in a different way.
A recent scientific study from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) shows that an emotionally supportive marriage may play a direct role in reducing the risk of obesity, affecting an integrated biological system that includes the brain, gut, hormones, and especially the hormone oxytocin, known as the "love hormone," according to a report published by "MedicalXpress."
The study, published in the journal Gut Microbes, is the first of its kind to reveal how strong social relationships—and particularly high-quality marriages—can impact appetite and weight through a common pathway between the brain and the digestive system.
Strong Relationship = Lower Weight
About 100 people from the Los Angeles area participated in the study, providing data about their marital status, Body Mass Index (BMI), diet, income level, and detailed assessments of the emotional support they receive.
The researchers concluded that married individuals who receive high emotional support have a lower BMI and exhibit fewer behaviors associated with food addiction compared to married individuals who suffer from low emotional support.
As for the unmarried, whether they enjoyed social support or not, they displayed entirely different brain patterns.
Brain imaging tests indicated that those in supportive relationships have stronger activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), the area responsible for controlling desires and regulating appetite when viewing food images.
This brain activity reflects a greater ability to resist food temptations and avoid overeating.
Dr. Arabana Church, the head of the research team, explained, "We have known for years that good social relationships increase survival chances by up to 50%. But this study shows for the first time how emotional support literally permeates under the skin to affect weight."
