Why loneliness increases the risk of depression, cognitive decline and chronic diseases

A new study found that this is because loneliness can cause strong cravings for sugary foods.

The researchers linked the brain chemistry of those who are socially isolated with worsening mental health, weight gain, cognitive decline and the development of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

“While it is well established that obesity is associated with depression and anxiety and that binge eating is a coping mechanism for loneliness, I wanted to observe the brain pathways associated with these feelings and behaviors,” said lead study author Arpana Gupta, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the G. Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The researchers looked at how brain chemistry changes and how it processes food cues based on the social environment in 93 premenopausal women. Their findings revealed that those who experienced loneliness or isolation had a higher percentage of body fat and exhibited poor eating behaviors such as food addiction and binge eating.

The scientists used MRI scans to track how the participants responded to abstract images of sweet and salty foods. The results showed that those experiencing social isolation had greater activity in certain brain regions that play a key role in responding to cravings for sweets. The same participants showed a lower reaction in areas related to self-control.

“Social isolation can trigger a desire for food similar to a desire for social contact. We present evidence for the fact that our social connections are key to how we eat unhealthy foods, especially high-calorie foods and sweetsGupta said.

If you have social anxiety and a tendency to isolate yourself, it is important to consult a specialist and find ways to overcome it.

The findings were published in the scientific journal JAMA Network Open.