Early life dietary habits can have lasting effects on brain development and eating behaviors, according to new research from University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland. A study published on , in Nature Communications, found that a high-fat, high-sugar diet during childhood can alter brain function related to appetite control, even after the diet is discontinued and weight is normalized. However, the research also suggests that interventions targeting the gut microbiome may offer a way to mitigate these long-term effects.
Lasting Impact of Early Diet
The UCC study, conducted using a preclinical mouse model, revealed that early exposure to a diet rich in fat and sugar led to persistent changes in feeding behavior in adulthood. These behavioral alterations were linked to disruptions in the hypothalamus, a critical brain region responsible for regulating appetite and energy balance. This suggests that the brain’s appetite control systems can be “programmed” by early dietary experiences, potentially increasing the risk of obesity and related health problems later in life.
“Our findings show that what we eat early in life really matters,” said Dr. Cristina Cuesta-Martí, first author of the study. “Early dietary exposure may leave hidden, long-term effects on feeding behavior that are not immediately visible through weight alone.”
The increasing prevalence of readily available, highly palatable, energy-dense foods in modern childhood environments is a growing concern. From celebratory events to everyday rewards, these foods have become commonplace in children’s diets, potentially contributing to the development of unhealthy eating patterns.
The Gut-Brain Connection
Interestingly, the research also identified a potential avenue for intervention: the gut microbiome. The study demonstrated that targeting the gut microbiota could help counteract the negative effects of an unhealthy early-life diet on later feeding behavior. Specifically, the researchers investigated the effects of two interventions: a specific strain of beneficial gut bacteria, Bifidobacterium longum APC1472, and a combination of prebiotic fibers (fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS)).
The Bifidobacterium longum APC1472 strain showed marked improvements in feeding behavior, while inducing only minor changes in the overall composition of the gut microbiome. This suggests a targeted mechanism of action, where the probiotic directly influences brain function via the gut-brain axis. The prebiotic combination (FOS+GOS), resulted in broader shifts in the gut microbiome.
“Crucially, our findings show that targeting the gut microbiota can mitigate the long-term effects of an unhealthy early-life diet on later feeding behavior,” added Dr. Harriet Schellekens, lead investigator of the study. “Supporting the gut microbiota from birth helps maintain healthier food-related behaviors into later life.”
The Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis
The gut microbiome – the community of microorganisms living in the digestive tract – is increasingly recognized as a key player in overall health, including brain function. The gut and brain are connected through a complex network of communication pathways known as the microbiome-gut-brain axis. This bidirectional communication involves neural, hormonal, and immune signaling, allowing the gut microbiome to influence brain development, behavior, and cognitive function.
A diet rich in fiber, prebiotics, and fermented foods can promote a healthy, diverse gut microbiome, while diets high in fat, sugar, and processed foods can disrupt this balance. This disruption, known as dysbiosis, has been linked to a variety of health problems, including obesity, metabolic disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Professor John F. Cryan, Vice President for Research & Innovation at UCC and a collaborator on the study, emphasized the potential translational impact of this research. “Studies like this exemplify how fundamental research can lead to potential innovative solutions for major societal challenges. By revealing how an early-life diet shapes brain pathways involved in the regulation of feeding, this work opens new opportunities for microbiota-based interventions.”
Implications for Public Health
The findings underscore the importance of promoting healthy eating habits from an early age. While more research is needed to confirm these findings in humans, the study suggests that interventions aimed at supporting a healthy gut microbiome in infancy and early childhood could have long-lasting benefits for brain health and metabolic well-being.
The study was conducted in collaboration with researchers at the University of Seville (Spain), University of Gothenburg (Sweden), and Teagasc Food Research Centre (Fermoy, Ireland).
