"Love Can Help You Shed Those Pounds: The Surprising Link Between Marriages and Obesity"
In a surprising twist, new research suggests that strong marriages may be key to maintaining a healthy weight. A study published by UCLA Health found that couples who are deeply in love tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and fewer signs of food addiction compared to those in less nurturing unions.
For years, scientists have known that social relationships impact our health, with supportive connections increasing survival rates by up to 50%. However, the biological mechanisms behind this connection were elusive. The UCLA researchers' study reveals a novel pathway showing how marriage and emotional support can literally get "under your skin" to influence obesity risk.
The study, which evaluated nearly 100 LA-area residents from brain to bottom, looked at their body mass index, diet style, brain imaging, hormone levels, emotional support, and poop quality. The results showed that married people with strong support had lower BMIs and fewer signs of food addiction than those in less nurturing unions.
But how does marriage actually affect our weight? According to the study's lead author, Arpana Church, it's not just about diet and exercise. "The biological mechanisms explaining this connection have remained elusive," she said. "Our study reveals a novel pathway showing how marriage and emotional support literally get 'under the skin' to influence obesity risk."
One of the key findings is that married people with strong support had higher levels of serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. They also showed positive changes in their tryptophan metabolites, which are produced in the gut to regulate inflammation, metabolism, immune responses, and neurological function.
Another important factor is oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone." This hormone reduces stress and blood pressure and even helps wounds heal faster. The study found that happily married couples had higher levels of oxytocin than singletons.
Church theorized that oxytocin improves brain regions involved in self-control while promoting a healthier gut. "Think of oxytocin as a conductor orchestrating a symphony between the brain and gut," she explained. "It strengthens the brain's ability to resist food cravings while promoting beneficial metabolic processes in the gut, both of which help maintain healthy weight."
The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of the relationship between love and health. While there are limitations to the study, including that most participants were overweight or obese, Church acknowledged that fostering long-lasting, positive, and stable relationships is essential for better health.
So, what can we take away from this research? It seems that maybe it's time to trade in our Netflix and ice cream marathons for a healthier relationship with food.
In a surprising twist, new research suggests that strong marriages may be key to maintaining a healthy weight. A study published by UCLA Health found that couples who are deeply in love tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and fewer signs of food addiction compared to those in less nurturing unions.
For years, scientists have known that social relationships impact our health, with supportive connections increasing survival rates by up to 50%. However, the biological mechanisms behind this connection were elusive. The UCLA researchers' study reveals a novel pathway showing how marriage and emotional support can literally get "under your skin" to influence obesity risk.
The study, which evaluated nearly 100 LA-area residents from brain to bottom, looked at their body mass index, diet style, brain imaging, hormone levels, emotional support, and poop quality. The results showed that married people with strong support had lower BMIs and fewer signs of food addiction than those in less nurturing unions.
But how does marriage actually affect our weight? According to the study's lead author, Arpana Church, it's not just about diet and exercise. "The biological mechanisms explaining this connection have remained elusive," she said. "Our study reveals a novel pathway showing how marriage and emotional support literally get 'under the skin' to influence obesity risk."
One of the key findings is that married people with strong support had higher levels of serotonin, a hormone that regulates mood, sleep, and appetite. They also showed positive changes in their tryptophan metabolites, which are produced in the gut to regulate inflammation, metabolism, immune responses, and neurological function.
Another important factor is oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone." This hormone reduces stress and blood pressure and even helps wounds heal faster. The study found that happily married couples had higher levels of oxytocin than singletons.
Church theorized that oxytocin improves brain regions involved in self-control while promoting a healthier gut. "Think of oxytocin as a conductor orchestrating a symphony between the brain and gut," she explained. "It strengthens the brain's ability to resist food cravings while promoting beneficial metabolic processes in the gut, both of which help maintain healthy weight."
The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of the relationship between love and health. While there are limitations to the study, including that most participants were overweight or obese, Church acknowledged that fostering long-lasting, positive, and stable relationships is essential for better health.
So, what can we take away from this research? It seems that maybe it's time to trade in our Netflix and ice cream marathons for a healthier relationship with food.
, but this study is like totally crazy! I remember when I was younger, my friends and I would stay up all night watching rom-coms together and just eating bonbons... it never seemed to hurt us 
. But now I'm older and I know that wasn't the healthiest thing for me.
. Like, oxytocin really does seem like a game-changer when it comes to weight management. And serotonin levels, yeah, those are important too... my sister was always saying that exercise releases endorphins and stuff.
... but maybe it is time to reevaluate how we approach relationships and food. Like, let's try to prioritize love and self-care over Netflix marathons and ice cream binges 
I'm so glad they're finally figuring out the connection between love and weight loss! I mean, who wouldn't want to feel loved and supported while also having better gut health and lower BMI? 
Like, who knew oxytocin was so important? 
It makes sense that its linked to stress and stuff. I mean we've all been there where we're stressed and just wanna binge eat. 
But if love and oxytocin are like a magic potion for our tummies... 
, which suggests that loving relationships may be the key to maintaining a healthy weight. The idea that serotonin levels can influence appetite and tryptophan metabolites, which regulate inflammation and immune responses, is fascinating 
. Oxytocin's role in reducing stress, blood pressure, and promoting wound healing is well-documented 
. However, I'd love to see more research on how these findings apply to people with a wider range of BMI and health outcomes 
. Additionally, it would be interesting to explore the potential mechanisms by which emotional support affects food addiction 
. Nevertheless, this study highlights the importance of nurturing relationships in our physical and mental well-being 
.
- I'm surprised by how much science backs up the idea that love can lead to weight loss! 
The way it regulates stress and blood pressure, promotes healthy gut function, and even helps with wound healing... it's like a superpower in our bodies! 
It's not just about being in love, it's about finding a partner that can support you through life's struggles. And trust me, those Netflix binges aren't doing anyone any favors 
.
, where they're trying to tell us that all we need is love to be happy and healthy... remember when people used to say "love conquers all" back in the 90s? 
Now it's like, love can even help you shed those pounds! I'm not saying it's all bad, but have you seen how everyone's obsessed with couples goals on Instagram lately? It's like, we're more focused on our relationships than actual physical health 
It feels like we're getting lost in all these complex scientific explanations for something that's been true for centuries: taking care of yourself is key.
! Who knew that being in a loving marriage could be the secret to shedding those extra pounds? 
), you're more likely to stay on track. And let's not forget about oxytocin - that "love hormone" is like a magic wand for our bodies 
! It's amazing how something as simple as being in love can have such a profound impact on our health and wellbeing. Maybe we should start focusing on building stronger relationships with ourselves (and others) rather than just trying to diet and exercise? 
The study's lead author is onto something with this whole brain-gut thing. Maybe we should start prioritizing our relationships over Netflix and ice cream marathons... 
! All these years I've been telling my friends that love can conquer all, even weight gain 
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the study sounds kinda cool but what about people who are in love but aren't married or in a relationship? does their oxytocin level still count 
Yeah, marriage could totally help prevent that 
JUST THINK ABOUT ALL THE TIMES YOU'VE EATEN IN FRONT OF YOUR PARTNER AND FELT LIKE CRAP AFTERWARDS... 
