Nutrition bites

Yo-yo no-no

Fad diets have become normalised as people pursue beauty ideals, but a new qualitative study highlights the negative consequences associated with “yo-yo dieting”. North Carolina State University researchers interviewed 36 adults who ‒ “weight cycled” losing and regaining just under 5kg. All participants wanted to lose weight due to social stigma and comparisons with celebrities or peers. But regaining weight led to feelings of shame, extreme behaviours and obsession with weight. “It can be damaging for people to begin dieting unless it is medically necessary,” says paper author Lynsey Romo.

Love yourself

Self-compassion helps develop resilience to overeating setbacks, say Drexel University researchers. A group of 140 participants trying to lose weight took part in surveys where they reported any dietary lapses during the day and the extent to which they responded with selfcompassion. When participants had more a compassionate response to their lapse, they reported better mood and self-control over eating and exercise behaviour in the hours following.

Gut-brain cravings

A study published in Cell Metabolism has identified that nerve cells in the gut rather than taste cells in the mouth are a key driver of sugar and fat cravings. Using technology, fat or sugar neurons in the vagus nerve system were directly manipulated, demonstrating that both types of neurons cause a dopamine release in the brain’s reward centre in mice through two separate vagus nerve pathways. The research shows communication between the gut and brain happens below the level of consciousness, so people may be craving certain foods without realising it. − Listener staff