Watching negative news causes weight gain: Study

In the information age, we are constantly bombarded with news of all kinds. Between global crises, natural disasters and social problemsmany of them are, unfortunately, negative.

While we are aware of the emotional impact this news can have, have you ever wondered how it affects your body? A Harvard neuroscientist has revealed that consume negative news could be adding extra calories to your daily diet.

Listening to negative news makes you gain weight

Feldman Barrett, Scientific director of the Center for Law, Brain and Behavior at Massachusetts General Hospital, she has dedicated her career to studying how the brain responds to environmental stimuli, particularly in situations of uncertainty and stress, such as those generated by negative news.

The Harvard doctor explained that the brain is responsible for keeping the body alive and functioning efficiently through constant predictions about the environment. However, continued exposure to uncertainty, such as the negative news, This makes this task difficult and alters the brain’s ability to manage the body’s resources.

Studies conducted by his team showed that this news activates the fight or flight circuits, causing physical reactions such as increased heart rate and cortisol levels.

Furthermore, this overload of negative information not only temporarily affects, but gradually changes our perception of the world, making us expect the worst and live in a constant state of alert, which can result in exhaustion and a sense of impending doom.

One of the most interesting findings of Feldman Barrett’s research is how stress caused by the negative news affects our metabolism. Living in an unpredictable environment has metabolic costs, and constant stress can cause your body to retain more calories than it would normally consume.

This phenomenon has a cumulative impact. If we add those daily 104 extra calories due to stress, In a month that could translate to approximately half a kilo of additional weight. Therefore, it is crucial to be aware not only of what we eat, but also of the information environment in which we find ourselves.

By being aware of how negative news affects our bodies, we can take steps to protect both our minds and our physical health. Remember, Taking care of your well-being also means taking care of what you consume, both on the plate and on the screens.

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