由 home-healthhaven 
According to recent data from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, about 24% of men and 26% of women in the UK are classified as clinically obese, and these numbers are expected to increase. Amid rising health concerns, new research by Dr. Jennifer Nasser, an associate professor of Nutrition Sciences at Drexel University, could be a game-changer in the global fight against obesity.
People often blame various factors for obesity, such as easy access to cheap, unhealthy food, lack of nutrition education, school system failures, or lifestyle changes. However, two main issues remain consistent: poor diet and insufficient exercise. While tackling exercise habits can be challenging, gaining a better understanding of our eating behaviors might offer valuable insights into preventing obesity and improving our relationship with food.
Dr. Nasser’s research focuses on dopamine, a chemical in the brain linked to pleasure responses and acting as a neurotransmitter. Interestingly, dopamine is also released in the eye’s retina when stimulated by light via the optic nerve. Previously, it was thought that the brain’s dopamine function was separate from the eye’s dopamine function, meaning visual cues wouldn’t influence dopamine production in the brain.
During her study, Dr. Nasser had nine participants eat a small piece of food, and the results were revealing. Dopamine was released in their eyes, showing a response similar to that triggered by the drug stimulant methylphenidate. Some participants even experienced dopamine production merely from seeing or smelling the food, highlighting potential connections to food addiction.
The study used an affordable method called electroretinography (ERG) to measure dopamine activity in the eye’s retina, costing about $150 per session compared to the roughly £2000 required for current dopamine testing methods.
By examining how the eyes react to food’s sensory qualities, researchers can better understand why some people have strong pleasurable responses to food. This insight might help explain the link between eyesight, dopamine production, and compulsive overeating, which sometimes leads to obesity.
Unlike regular hunger, dopamine drives a need for instant gratification, impacting willpower and potentially leading to impulsive overeating. Scientists at the Wellcome Trust Center for Neuroimaging at University College London note that dopamine can significantly influence eating habits.
The study’s participants showed varied responses, with some reacting strongly to food’s sight and smell alone. These findings could help illuminate how our eyes and brains respond to food, offering new perspectives on the causes of food addiction and paving the way for potential new treatments.