Pasta, pizza and few other foods can harm mental health

Devon: A new study suggests that gluten, a protein found naturally in wheat, barley and other grains, can cause brain inflammation and, in some extreme cases, brain damage.

In a study carried out at the University of Otago in New Zealand, scientists fed gluten to mice, revealing the harmful effects hidden in it.

In people who suffer from celiac disease (a chronic disease of the digestive and immune systems that damages the small intestine), gluten is known to cause problems such as fatigue, digestive problems and weight changes.

Now, new research suggests that this protein, found in everyday foods such as pasta, bread, cereal, pizza and pastries, may also harm the brain of those who consume it.

According to Associate Professor Alex Tipps, who led the research, mice are an excellent model for studying human physiology. Their circulatory, reproductive, digestive, hormonal and nervous systems are very similar to humans. Therefore, it is highly likely that the inflammation we observed in mice also occurs in humans.

The study found that mice fed 4.5 percent of their diet with gluten experienced inflammation in the hypothalamic region of the brain. The amount of gluten given to the mice was about the same as what humans consume on a daily basis.

According to research, this inflammation can contribute to brain damage and weight gain.

Professor Alex Tipps said that although the research findings were disturbing, they would not affect many people.