THEY ARE WHAT THEY EAT –
May 23, 2026 – “What we eat early in life really matters.” said Dr. Cristina Cuesta-Martí, the study’s lead author. “Early dietary exposure may leave hidden, long-term effects on feeding behavior that are not immediately visible through weight alone.” A childhood junk-food diet can have a lifelong effect on how the brain regulates appetite … There is, however, some good news. Scientists at APC Microbiome, a leading research center based at UCC, also discovered that the digestive system, with a little help, can reduce the long-term effects of the brain’s cravings.
Modifying the gut microbiota with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum APC1472 can counteract and diminish the permanent brain-diet disruptions. This so-called “psychobiotic,” a natural inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract, has been shown to have a positive influence on mood, stress, and appetite.
