Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have found that regular workouts lead to better eating habits.

The study, published in the International Journal of Obesity, looked at 2 680 people who do not exercise regularly or do not follow a diet. The researchers found that, after several weeks of exercise, study participants were more likely to choose foods such as meat, fruits and vegetables over fried foods and sugary drinks.

Participants were instructed not to change their eating habits, but somehow it happened. Previous animal studies have already proved that a moderate amount of exercise can reduce preferences for foods high in fat due to of changes in dopamine levels. Several other studies have also shown a link between the intensity of exercise and the amount of appetite-regulating hormones in the body.

"The process of becoming physically active can influence dietary behavior," said Molly Bray, corresponding author of the paper and chair of the Nutritional Sciences department at UT Austin and a pediatrics faculty member at Dell Medical School. "One of the reasons that we need to promote exercise is for the healthy habits it can create in other areas. That combination is very powerful."

Molly Bray says changes in nutritional preferences when people exercise are observed in a very wide range of ages. The study included people between the ages of 18 and 35, a period critical for the formation of healthy habits. Previous studies have found that significant weight gain is observed during college years and that mild to moderate overweight at the age of 20-22 increases the risk of obesity later in life.

My Body Creator generates a precise nutrition program and for optimum results the inclusion of a training program is highly recommended and even mandatory in cases of certain goals. This contributes to a faster visible expression of the desired positive results.

 References:

Jaehyun Joo, Sinead A. Williamson, Ana I. Vazquez, Jose R. Fernandez, Molly S. Bray. The influence of 15-week exercise training on dietary patterns among young adults. International Journal of Obesity, 2019; DOI: 10.1038/s41366-018-0299-3