Here's another reason to up the amount of fibre-rich foods in your diet. Fibre-rich foods have long been associated with healthy and sustainable weight loss, fibre also plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. If the findings of a latest study are to be believed eating more pulses, wholegrain cereals, oats and vegetables, or other healthy fibre-rich foods may help reduce the effect of stress.
The study which was published in the Journal of Physiology was conducted on a mice model. Foods rich in fibre was found to reduce this adverse effects of stress in mice.It was revealed that gut bacteria produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are the main source of nutrition for cells in this region of the body and high levels of fibres stimulate the production of these SCFAs
"There is a growing recognition of the role of gut bacteria and the chemicals they make in the regulation of physiology and behaviour. The role of short-chain fatty acids in this process is poorly understood up until now," said corresponding author John F. Cryan from University College Cork in Ireland.
"It will be crucial that we look at whether short-chain fatty acids can ameliorate symptoms of stress-related disorders in humans," Cryan added.
For the study, team fed normally produced SCFAs to the mice and then subjected them to stress. The scientists then examined the anxiety and depressive like behaviour, stress responsiveness, cognition and sociability as well as how easily material passes through the gut.
Increased levels of SCFAs were found to reduce the levels of stress and anxiety-like behaviour among the mice.
The investigators also explained that stress experienced over a prolonged period of time can affect the bowel by making the barrier between the inside of the gut and the rest of the body less effective and "leaky".
The findings revealed that treating the condition using the SCFAs can also reverse the "leaky" walls inside the gut.
Scientists are affirmative that the new study could provide new insights into mechanisms related to the impact of the gut bacteria on the brain and behaviour as well as gut health.
"Developing dietary treatments which target these bacteria will be important for treating stress-related disorders," said the researchers.
Here are some fibre-rich foods that you must add to your diet today:
1. Oats
2. Artichokes
3. Broccoli
4. Carrots
5. Wholegrain cereals
6. Strawberries
7. Apples
8. Guava
9. Lentils
10. Kidney beans
11. Chicpeas
12. Almonds
13. Chia seeds
(With Inputs IANS)