Exercise counteracts junk food's depression-like effects through gut-brain metabolic signaling
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 30-Dec-2025 16:12 ET (30-Dec-2025 21:12 GMT/UTC)
Researchers led by Professor Yvonne Nolan at University College Cork discovered that voluntary wheel running exercise counteracts depression-like behaviors induced by a cafeteria diet in adult male rats. The peer-reviewed study reveals exercise normalized elevated insulin and leptin levels while preserving key gut metabolites depleted by junk food consumption. These findings illuminate potential metabolic mechanisms linking lifestyle factors to mental health, offering insights for developing targeted interventions addressing mood disorders.
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