Washington DC [US], May 21:Regular consumption of high-fat, high-sugar junk food during childhood may cause long-lasting changes in the brain effects that can persist even after a healthier diet is adopted according to new research from University College Cork.
Scientists found that early-life exposure to calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods disrupts brain regions responsible for regulating appetite, leading to altered eating behaviours later in life. The study also suggests that certain gut bacteria and prebiotic fibres may help partially reverse these changes.
Researchers at APC Microbiome Ireland discovered that unhealthy dietary patterns in early childhood can rewire neural pathways governing hunger and feeding. These effects remained evident even after subjects transitioned to normal diets and regained healthy body weight.
The findings, published in Nature Communications, highlight growing concerns about children’s constant exposure to processed, sugary, and fatty foods often present at school functions, celebrations, sports activities, and even used as routine rewards. Scientists warn that such early exposure may imprint lifelong food preferences and increase the risk of obesity.
Study Shows Persistent Changes in Feeding Behaviour
Using a preclinical mouse model, the research team demonstrated that animals fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet early in life showed persistent changes in appetite regulation as adults. These behavioural shifts were linked to disruptions in the hypothalamus, the brain’s centre for hunger and energy balance.
Lead author Dr. Cristina Cuesta-Marti said the findings underscore the importance of early dietary habits.“Our findings show that what we eat early in life really matters,” she said. “Early dietary exposure may leave hidden, long-term effects on feeding behaviour that are not immediately visible through weight alone.”
Gut Microbiome Shows Potential to Counteract Damage
The study also examined whether modifying the gut microbiome could help restore healthier eating patterns. Researchers tested the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum APC1472 and prebiotic fibres such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) nutrients naturally found in foods like onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, and bananas, and commonly available in fortified products and supplements.
Both interventions showed promising effects.The probiotic strain significantly improved feeding behaviour with only targeted microbiome changes, while the FOS–GOS combination produced broader microbiota adjustments.
Scientists say these findings strengthen the case for gut-focused strategies to reduce the long-term metabolic risks associated with childhood junk food consumption.