Obviously, everyone suspects that the richness of a Christmas meal disturbs our intestinal flora. However, such a dinner in the company of the in-laws would also have effects on the microbiota.
Many factors can alter the intestinal flora . These include tobacco, alcohol, drugs, stress, sex hormones or even lifestyle in general. We should also mention light drinks or the food additive E171, source of imbalance intestinal microbiota.
In the study published in the journal Human Microbiome Journal in August 2019, it is all about stress. Researchers from the University of Amsterdam Medical Center (Netherlands) have described a change in the microbiota in a rather special situation. Indeed, it is a Christmas dinner in the presence of the in-laws . The latter would cause psychological stress not without effects.
As part of their study, the researchers analyzed the feces of 24 volunteers , 16 of whom had spent Christmas with their in-laws. You should know that the samples were taken twice, namely December 23 and 27 . The goal? Understanding changes in gut microbiota. In addition, each of the volunteers was submitted to a questionnaire.
First observation, the researchers did not notice any big difference in caloric intake or alcohol consumption depending on the place of dinner. However, overall calorie intake is a little higher in the case of dinner with the in-laws. However, an important difference was observed elsewhere, namely in the bacteria Rumminococcaceae .
According to the researchers, the microbiota of the volunteers were very different. By analyzing seven families of bacteria, the study leaders found that the bacteria Rumminococcaceae were much less present among people who dined with their in-laws. However, it is a bacteria linked to stress. Previous studies had shown that people suffering from depression saw their rate of Rumminococcaceae fall.
In other words, eating with your in-laws would cause a high level of stress. Nevertheless, the study seems to have its limits , in particular concerning the rather small sample size. Thus, such a study should be conducted on a larger number of people to be taken seriously.
Source:Daily Mail – Chemical &Engineering News
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