The Impact of Discrimination on Food Choices and Health Risks: Brain-Gut Crosstalk Revealed
Experiences of discrimination can lead to increased food-cue reactivity in brain regions associated with reward, motivation, and executive control, as well as alterations in glutamate metabolism and preference for unhealthy foods. This study suggests that discrimination-related stress may contribute to unhealthy eating behaviors and obesity risk by disrupting the brain-gut-microbiome system. Treatments targeting these alterations may benefit individuals who experience discrimination-related stress.