Study finds childhood junk food can rewire brain for life

Washington DC [US], May 26 (HBTV): Consuming large amounts of junk food early in life may cause lasting changes in the brain, even if a person later adopts a healthier diet, according to a new study conducted by researchers at University College Cork (UCC).

Scientists discovered that diets high in fat and sugar altered eating habits and affected brain regions responsible for controlling appetite.

However, researchers also found that beneficial gut bacteria and prebiotic fibres showed potential in reversing some of these long-term effects and supporting healthier eating behaviours later in life.

According to the study from APC Microbiome, a leading research centre based at UCC, children who regularly consume high-fat, high-sugar foods may experience lasting changes in the brain that continue even after their diets improve.

Researchers said today’s children are surrounded by highly processed foods that are heavily marketed and easily accessible.

Sugary and fatty foods have become common at birthday parties, school events, sports activities and even as rewards for good behaviour.

Scientists warned that constant exposure to such foods may shape food preferences from an early age and encourage eating habits that persist into adulthood.

The study, published in Nature Communications, found that early exposure to calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods can leave long-term effects on feeding behaviour.

Researchers used a preclinical mouse model and found that animals exposed to a high-fat, high-sugar diet early in life showed persistent changes in eating behaviour as adults.

The team linked these behavioural effects to disruptions in the hypothalamus, the brain region responsible for regulating appetite and energy balance.

The research also explored whether targeting the gut microbiome could help counter these effects.

Scientists tested a beneficial bacterial strain, Bifidobacterium longum APC1472, along with prebiotic fibres including fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), which are naturally present in foods such as onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus and bananas, and are also available in fortified foods and supplements.

According to the findings, both approaches showed potential benefits when administered throughout life.

‘Our findings show that what we eat early in life really matters,’ said Dr Cristina Cuesta-Marti, the study’s first author.

‘Early dietary exposure may leave hidden, long-term effects on feeding behaviour that are not immediately visible through weight alone,’ she added.

Researchers found that unhealthy diets early in life disrupted brain pathways linked to feeding behaviour, with effects continuing into adulthood.

The findings suggest that this could increase the risk of obesity later in life.

Scientists also found that modifying the gut microbiota helped reduce these long-term effects.

The probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum APC1472 significantly improved feeding behaviour while causing only minor changes to the overall microbiome, suggesting a highly targeted effect.

Meanwhile, the prebiotic combination of FOS and GOS produced broader changes across the gut microbiome.

(ANI)