Dec 09, 2025 | 12:04 PM
Trivia Question
Q: Those who have this in their lives tend to be healthier overall including healthy weight, better gut health and even better chemical makeup. What is it?
A:They are married and have an emotionally supportive spouse.
- Married people who feel emotionally supported by their spouse had BMIs about five points lower than married people lacking that support, a pattern not seen among unmarried individuals
- Supportive marriages were associated with higher activity in a brain region responsible for impulse control when participants viewed images of food
- Gut bacteria in well-supported individuals produced more anti-inflammatory compounds and fewer harmful metabolites linked to cognitive problems
- Oxytocin, the hormone released during bonding and physical affection, may connect relationship quality to both brain function and gut chemistry, though more research is needed to confirm this pathway
- https://shorturl.at/DmXbN