New research from a leading health sciences institute in Beijing reveals that shedding pounds alters the gut microbiota in ways that can dampen brain circuits tied to addictive behaviors, including cravings for food. The study’s findings were reported in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.
Researchers emphasize that a balanced gut ecosystem plays a crucial role in energy balance and maintaining a healthy body weight. When the microbial community becomes imbalanced, patterns of eating may shift toward less healthy choices. This stems from the direct communication between the gut and brain, where microbiome changes can influence endocrine, nervous, and immune signaling pathways and subsequently affect brain function.
To pinpoint specific microbial shifts linked to normal eating patterns, the study enrolled 25 adults in China who were classified as obese. The participants had an average age of 27. The protocol began with a tightly supervised, strictly controlled fasting phase lasting 32 days, during which daily calories were reduced to roughly a quarter of typical intake. This was followed by a 30–day period of a looser fasting regimen, with women consuming about 500 calories and men about 600 calories each day.
At the end of the intervention, researchers assessed the gut microbiome through stool and blood analyses. The data showed increases in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Bacteroides (Bacteroides) standardis, alongside a decrease in Escherichia coli.
The study linked higher levels of P. distasonis and Flavonifractor plautii to heightened activity in brain regions involved in attention, motor control, emotion, and learning. Conversely, a reduction in Escherichia coli, Coprococcus, and Eubacterium hallii appeared to support functioning in the brain’s left orbital inferior frontal gyrus, a region associated with executive control and appetite regulation. Overall, these microbiome shifts correlated with improved appetite regulation and a reduction in food-related cravings.
While the focus was on the gut-brain axis, the results contribute to a broader understanding of how dietary interventions might influence brain circuits governing eating behavior. The research underscores the potential for microbiome-targeted strategies to support weight management and healthier eating patterns in diverse populations across North America and beyond.
Additional notes from the investigators highlight that the observed microbial changes were associated with measurable shifts in neural activity related to attention, inhibition of impulses, and learning. These findings provide a framework for future work exploring how diet, gut microbes, and brain networks interact to shape long-term eating habits.