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The trillions of micro-organisms in the digestive tract can influence the brain much more than is commonly thought.
Everything in the human body is interconnected. The microflora of the gastrointestinal tract affects the immune system, metabolism – and, accordingly, increases or understands the risk of obesity and chronic diseases. In addition, bacteria can irritate nerve endings, signaling that they need food. And a recent study showed that the intestinal microflora, under certain conditions, can reduce the symptoms of social phobia – fear of communication.
700 students took part in the experiment. They filled out a questionnaire in which they noted how many fermented foods they had eaten in the last month, what their level of physical activity was, and how much fruit and vegetables they ate on average. Other questions helped to assess the level of their neuroticism – this personality trait is associated with manifestations of social phobia. The study confirmed the hypothesis of scientists that the use of fermented foods in combination with physical activity helps fight communication difficulties.
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Fermented foods are known to promote the growth of the “right” bacteria. “Probably, the probiotics contained in these products have a beneficial effect on the microflora, and these changes, in turn, help to reduce the manifestations of social phobia. These amazing results show that the bacteria in our digestive system can indirectly affect the functioning of the brain,” says co-author of the study, Professor of Psychology at the College of William and Mary in Virginia (USA) Matthew Hilimire (Matthew Hilimire).
Previous studies have shown that the leading role in the connection of microflora with the brain is played by the so-called vagus nerve – the longest and most complex, which stretches through the face and chest to the abdomen. The exact mechanism of this phenomenon is still unclear, according to some theories, bacteria indirectly stimulate the release of serotonin, which, in particular, regulates mood. These results give hope that social phobia (at least not very severe cases) can be dealt with in a cheap and safe way – with the help of a certain diet.
Подробнее см. M. Hilimire, J. DeVylder, C. Forestell «Fermented foods, neuroticism and social anxiety: An interaction model», Psychiatry Research, 2015.
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