This Is Your Brain on Food summary

Ted was stressed and depressed. And when his mood was low, Ted often found himself turning to comfort food – vending machine snacks, chocolate, a glass of wine or three. 

His primary doctor had recommended Prozac, but when Ted consulted psychiatrist and nutrition specialist Uma Naidoo, she had a different idea. She suspected that Ted’s diet was contributing to his low mood.

Now, let’s explore a condition that often goes hand in hand with depression – anxiety.

Anxiety is incredibly common. It’s estimated that in the United States, as much as a third of the population suffers from an anxiety disorder at some stage during their life. 

The connection between the gut and anxiety might seem fairly intuitive. More surprising, perhaps, is the link between gut bacteria and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.

But actually, it makes sense. ADHD is the result of chemical imbalances in the brain. And it’s gut bacteria that are responsible for synthesizing certain chemicals, like those that help create dopamine, for instance. Studies have revealed differences in the gut microbiomes of those with ADHD, and those without the condition. 

Speaking of calming your mind: do you toss and turn each night, struggling to fall asleep? If so, you’re not alone – about one in three of us have sleep issues. And once again, there’s an undeniable link with what’s going on in our gut.

All living creatures have a natural sleep cycle, including the bacteria that live in the gut. When your body’s internal clock is out of sync – after a few late nights, or when you’re jet-lagged – it can affect the behavior and composition of your gut bacteria. It can even change how you metabolize food, potentially leading to obesity. 

Even if you don’t have a specific condition, most people can improve their mental health by making small dietary tweaks. 

Firstly, what they say is true – don’t shop when you’re hungry. You’re more likely to fill your cart with non-nutritious comfort food.