Fatty foods or a high-fat diet contribute to obesity and heart diseases, but a new study found out that it also affects a person's behavior, increasing the risk for psychiatric disorders.
The new study, published in the Biological Psychiatry journal, indicates that a person's high-fat diet significantly changes a bacteria called microbiome, which is found in the gut.
Researchers from the Louisiana State University said that the changes in a body's microbiome leads to increased susceptibility to a wide range of mental illnesses and changing behavior, according to Time.
"This paper suggests that high-fat diets impair brain health, in part, by disrupting the symbiotic relationship between humans and the microorganisms that occupy our gastrointestinal tracks," Dr. John Krystal told Science Daily.
The researchers conducted experiments on non-obese adult mice which were fed normal non-fatty foods. Gut microbiota from mice that were fed a high-fat diet and other controlled diets were transplanted to the normal diet mice group.
Behavior from the mice after the transplant were then noted and studied for any changes, including in cognitive abilities.
Researchers found that the mice who were transplanted with microbiota exhibited several anomalies in their behavior, including impaired memory, increased anxiety attacks and even repetitive behaviors.
The microbiota also caused negative effects to the mice, including increased inflammation markers and permeability of their intestines, according to Science World Report. Most of all, the mice had inflammation in their brain.
The study shows evidence that the changes in the microbiome can alter a person's brain function and behavior even if the person is not obese or overweight.
Additional research is needed to find the direct cause as to why changes in the microbiome also affect behavior.