Cervello e intestino - Superquark 18/07/2018

Summary

This video explores the fascinating connection between food, the brain, and our mood, highlighting a study conducted at the University of Oxford. Neuroscientist Phil Barnett investigates how what we eat, especially fibers found in fruits and vegetables, affects our brain's function and emotional state. Through experiments involving volunteers and a prebiotic fiber supplement, the study shows that dietary changes can influence mood by affecting gut bacteria, which in turn produce beneficial molecules like serotonin. The results indicate that a healthy diet can positively impact mental well-being, underscoring the importance of food in brain health.

Takeaways

• 😀 The brain is compared to an octopus or a tree, extending its 'tentacles' or roots throughout the body, including the gut.
• 😀 What happens in the intestines is monitored by the brain, which reacts positively or negatively based on those signals.
• 😀 Our mood can be influenced by what we eat, as certain foods have the potential to affect our emotional state.
• 😀 A study at Oxford University, led by neuroscientist Phil Barnett, explored the connection between food and mood.
• 😀 Barnett's study focused on 30 volunteers, including students, to manipulate their moods through diet.
• 😀 The microbiome, the population of bacteria in the gut, plays a key role in influencing the brain and mood.
• 😀 There are three main ways the gut communicates with the brain: through the immune system, the vagus nerve, and certain molecules produced during food digestion.
• 😀 Special molecules called short-chain fatty acids, produced from fermenting fibers in food, help improve brain functions and mood.
• 😀 Barnett used a powdered fiber supplement to influence the gut microbiota of participants and impact their mood.
• 😀 The test to assess mood changes involved a focus task where participants’ ability to respond was influenced by subliminal positive or negative images, showing the impact of the diet on their cognitive response.

Q & A

How does the brain influence our mood?

The brain influences our mood by sending signals based on the information it receives from the body, particularly from the intestines, where what we eat can have a direct effect on our emotions and reactions.

What role does the microbiome play in our mood?

The microbiome, which consists of bacteria in the gut, plays a critical role in influencing our mood through three main pathways: the immune system, the vagus nerve, and the production of molecules during food fermentation.

What is the vagus nerve, and how does it affect the brain?

The vagus nerve is a large nerve bundle that connects the brain to the intestines. It transmits signals from the gut to the brain, influencing mood and cognitive functions, acting as a bridge for communication between the two.

How do short-chain fatty acids affect the brain?

Short-chain fatty acids, produced by the fermentation of fibers in foods like fruits and vegetables, enter the bloodstream and influence brain functions. They are considered messengers of well-being for the brain, positively affecting mood and cognition.

What was the purpose of the experiment conducted at Oxford University?

The experiment aimed to explore how the consumption of fiber, specifically through prebiotic fibers, could influence the participants' mood and cognitive responses by manipulating their gut microbiota.

How was the effect of fiber on mood measured in the study?

The effect was measured using a test where participants were shown subliminal images and asked to focus on aligning dots on a screen. Participants who consumed fiber showed a greater attraction to positive faces in the images, indicating a positive shift in mood.

What is the significance of the test used in the study?

The test used in the study was designed to focus participants' attention on positive or negative stimuli. Those who consumed fiber performed better, suggesting that the fiber had a positive impact on their mood and ability to focus on positive cues.

What did the research suggest about the consumption of fruits and vegetables?

The research suggests that consuming more fruits and vegetables is important for brain health because they provide fibers that support a healthy microbiome, which in turn can positively affect mood and cognitive function.

What did participants think of the experiment's effect on their mood?

The participants did not consciously perceive any significant changes in their mood. However, biological measures such as stress hormone levels showed clear changes, indicating that their bodies responded to the fiber without their awareness.

What is serotonin's role in mood regulation according to the research?

Serotonin, a neurotransmitter produced in the gut, plays a role in regulating mood. It acts on intestinal neurons and communicates through the vagus nerve to the brain, contributing to feelings of well-being.