People who love junk food can still protect their mental health, new animal research shows. A team at University College Cork in Ireland discovered that cardio exercise – especially running – can counteract the mood‑draining effects of a high‑fat, high‑sugar “Western” diet.
In the study, researchers fed male rats either regular chow or a rotating cafeteria diet packed with greasy, sugary snacks. Half of each group also had a running wheel. After seven and a half weeks, the scientists tested the rats’ behavior and analyzed their gut chemicals.
Running wheels produced a clear antidepressant‑like effect. The rats that ran showed fewer signs of depression even when eating junk food. The exercise also modestly improved their ability to navigate mazes and reduced anxiety‑like behaviors, regardless of diet.
On a chemical level, the junk‑food diet disrupted 100 of 175 gut metabolites. Running restricted those changes and helped restore three key molecules linked to mood — anserine, indole‑3‑carboxylate, and deoxyinosine. The results suggest exercise alone can boost mood, but a healthier diet may be needed to unlock full brain benefits.
For everyday people, the takeaway is simple: If you indulge in fast food or sugary treats, staying active—running, walking, or any cardio exercise—can help keep your mood on track. Combining regular exercise with a balanced, nutritious diet will likely offer the strongest protection against mental health setbacks in our modern food‑dense world.
Source: ianslive
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