The relationship between memory and eating behavior has been of considerable interest to scientists in recent years. While it is common for food intake to be associated with hunger or emotional states, innovative research by the Monell Chemical Senses Center has found that another critical component influences our eating habits—memory. The studies revealed that the food-related memory system of the brain could be a direct contributor to how much and what we eat. This may prove important in the context of overeating, food cravings, and obesity.

An underemphasized player in eating behavior studies is memory. But researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, led by Dr. Guillaume de Lartigue, published in Nature Metabolism, revealed an entirely new phenomenon: there are certain neurons in the brain that store food memories, specifically those that have a lot of sugar and fat. Such neurons in the hippocampus directly impact food intake and weight gain and establish a surprising relationship between memory and metabolism.

These neurons encode the spatial location of nutrient-rich foods, thus essentially forming a "memory trace" for sugar and fat. These memories act as a strong motivator for eating behavior and drive individuals to seek out such food sources again, even in environments where food is readily available.

Dr. de Lartigue's group found that blocking these neurons reduced the capacity of an animal to remember sugar-related experiences. In simpler words, if these neurons were blocked, the animals ate less sugar, and they gained much less weight even though they were fed a diet loaded with sugar and fat. Conversely, activating these neurons enhanced the memory for food in the animals and increased consumption.

This finding is impportant because it suggests that food memories should not be considered as passive recollections of pleasurable experiences but rather as active triggers of food intake and behavior. It opens possibilities to use these insights in better management of overeating and prevention of diet-induced obesity.

How Your Memory Impacts Obesity and Metabolic Health

What is important about this discovery is its implications for relieving the growing obesity epidemic. Obesity has long been associated with overeating and specifically, the consumption of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods which are high in fat and sugar. The study of Monell reported that brain circuits controlling memory could be an important component that drives the behavior.

In the present world, food is constantly advertised, and there are environmental cues everywhere. As such, food memories have emerged as a vital part of eating habits. As Dr. de Lartigue points out, these circuits of memory may cause overeating due to the plentiful food cues associated with pleasure. In essence, these memories may cause a craving to result in the consumption of sugary or fatty foods when one may not feel hungry.

Another interesting aspect of this study is the specificity of memory circuits it detects. The scientists were able to determine that the neurons that are responsible for encoding sugar-related memories only influence sugar intake, while the neurons responsible for fat-related memories affect fat consumption. This specificity shows that the brain has finely tuned circuits designed to differentiate between various types of food and drive behavior accordingly.

Separation of sugar and fat memory circuits might have occurred as a function because in the wild, most foodstuffs hardly combine sugar and fats, thus facilitating survival when remembering and acting appropriately on nutrient-dense food sources. This capability of storing food-specific memories might account for why most people experience a craving for either sweet or fatty food in the presence of environmental cues related to these nutrients.

Implications for Treating Obesity

The research holds great promise for the development of new treatments for obesity. By targeting the memory circuits in the hippocampus, it may be possible to disrupt the food-related memories that drive unhealthy eating behavior. This may provide a new approach to managing overeating and weight gain, especially in a society where food is omnipresent and easily accessible.

Dr. de Lartigue and his colleagues propose that these neurons are necessary for associating sensory stimuli, such as taste and smell, with the consumption of food. Blocking the memory mechanisms that drive the desire for calorie-rich foods may represent a powerful intervention to treat obesity and enhance metabolic health.

Link Between Memory and the Brain's Reward System

The brain's reward system is also closely linked to food memories. Scientists have discovered that high-glycemic foods cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, stimulating pleasure and reward areas of the brain. Such foods give a sense of satisfaction, and it reinforces the need to eat them again. In the long term, the brain becomes conditioned to seek out such foods, creating a vicious cycle of overeating.

Overeating can also be linked to memory modification in the brain's reward system, which eventually creates a reduced response to cues related to food. The same thing happens in addiction, where higher amounts of the substance are required for the same amount of reward. The vicious cycle of eating, facilitated by brain activation and food memories, might explain why people easily gain weight yet have difficulty keeping it off.

Understanding the Role of Memory in Eating Behavior

Findings at the Monell Chemical Senses Center have increased our knowledge on the intricate connection between memory and eating behavior. The specific role that food-related memories play in food intake and weight gain has been identified through this study, providing useful information regarding how memory circuits in the brain might influence eating behavior. This research could open the doors to innovative treatments against overeating and obesity, helping people make healthier food choices and improve their metabolic health.

Ways To Prevent Overeating?

• Focus on eating slowly, savoring each bite, and avoiding distractions to curb impulsive eating.
• Reduce exposure to advertisements and sensory triggers associated with unhealthy food.
• Prioritize low-glycemic, nutrient-dense foods to minimize the addictive effects of sugar and fat.
• Exercise can modulate brain activity and support healthier eating behaviors.
• Address emotional triggers and reframe food-related memories to prevent overeating.
• Ensure adequate sleep to regulate appetite-controlling hormones.
• Seek guidance from nutritionists or therapists for personalized strategies.

Separate orexigenic hippocampal ensembles shape dietary choice by enhancing contextual memory and motivation. Nat Metab. 2025

Effects of dietary glycemic index on brain regions related to reward and craving in men. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013

From childhood, many girls are taught to be agreeable, responsible and perfect in everything they do. They are praised for being obedient, hardworking and emotionally controlled. Over time, this expectation can shape behavior in ways that may quietly harm mental and physical health.

This pattern is often referred to as “Good Girl Syndrome”. While it is not a formal medical diagnosis, doctors say the effects of constantly trying to live up to expectations can be very real. The pressure to appear composed and capable all the time can lead to emotional suppression, chronic stress and eventually hormonal disturbances.

To understand how this pressure affects the body, NDTV Health spoke with Dr. Y. D. Meherprasad, Senior Consultant in Endocrinology and Preventive Healthcare at MGM Malar Hospital, Chennai, who says he has observed this pattern among many young women in his clinical practice.

The Hidden Stress Behind Perfection

Good Girl Syndrome describes a behavioral pattern where individuals, often women, feel compelled to meet expectations without showing weakness or stress. This can translate into people pleasing behaviour, fear of conflict and difficulty setting boundaries.

Dr. Meherprasad explains that constantly trying to maintain this image can create a persistent stress response in the body.

“Hormonal imbalances are being noticed in young Indian women associated with the Good Girl Syndrome, where women are always trying to meet expectations and are continuously successful, all without showing any signs of stress,” he told NDTV Health.

According to him, the problem arises when emotions are suppressed for long periods. “When women suppress emotions for long periods, the body remains in a state of constant stress response,” he said.

Emerging research in the field of psychoneuroendocrinology suggests that emotional stress can directly influence hormonal regulation in the body.

The Cortisol Connection

At the centre of this process is cortisol, the body’s main stress hormone. Normally, cortisol rises briefly during stressful situations and then returns to normal levels once the threat passes.

However, when stress becomes constant, cortisol levels can remain elevated for long periods.

Studies have shown that chronic high cortisol can disrupt reproductive hormones. One effect described in research is sometimes called “progesterone steal,” where the body prioritizes producing stress hormones instead of reproductive hormones.

Low progesterone levels can contribute to irregular menstrual cycles, acne and other hormonal symptoms that many young women experience.

Stress, Insulin Resistance And PCOS

Dr. Meherprasad says chronic stress may also contribute to metabolic changes. In some cases, it can mimic or worsen conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

When cortisol levels remain high, the body releases more glucose into the bloodstream to provide energy for a perceived threat. If that energy is not used through physical activity, insulin levels rise to regulate blood sugar.

Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance, which is a key factor associated with PCOS. Women may experience abdominal weight gain, irregular ovulation and difficulty managing their weight.

Warning Signs The Body May Be Struggling

The effects of prolonged stress do not appear overnight. They often show up gradually through subtle changes in the body.

Dr. Meherprasad says menstrual irregularities are one of the early warning signs. Some women may experience delayed cycles or even a temporary halt in ovulation.

Sleep disturbances are also common. Many women report difficulty falling asleep because their minds remain constantly active, leading to fatigue the next day.

Other symptoms may include mood swings, persistent anxiety, brain fog and difficulty losing weight despite maintaining a careful diet.

Restoring Balance

Dr. Meherprasad says addressing these hormonal issues requires both medical evaluation and lifestyle changes.

Regular hormone screenings can help detect issues related to thyroid function, insulin levels and reproductive hormones such as LH and FSH. Early treatment is important if conditions such as PCOS or thyroid dysfunction are present.

Equally important is addressing the emotional component of chronic stress.

“Hormonal imbalance is not only physical but also closely linked to emotional health,” said the doctor.

He recommends prioritizing adequate sleep, regular physical activity and practices such as yoga that help calm the body’s stress response. Creating space for emotional expression through journaling or therapy can also help reduce long term stress.

In a culture that often rewards perfection, doctors say it may be time to rethink the idea of the “perfect girl”. Sometimes, protecting one’s health begins with allowing space for imperfection.

Cancer deaths in the United Kingdom have dropped to their lowest recorded levels, according to new data from the charity Cancer Research UK. The figures show that cancer death rates have fallen by 11 per cent in the past decade, reflecting progress in early detection, screening, treatment and prevention.

Researchers estimate that around 247 people in every 100,000 in the UK now die from cancer each year. This is a significant decline from the peak recorded in 1989, when about 355 people per 100,000 died annually from the disease. Overall, that represents a 29 per cent reduction over the past few decades.

Experts say this steady improvement is the result of sustained scientific progress, improved healthcare systems and public health measures that target risk factors such as smoking.

Major Declines In Several Common Cancers

The new data highlights falling death rates across several major cancers. Ovarian cancer deaths have dropped by 19 per cent over the past ten years, up to 2024. Lung cancer deaths have fallen by 22 per cent during the same period, reflecting the long-term impact of reduced smoking rates and better treatment options.

Deaths from stomach cancer have seen one of the most dramatic improvements, dropping by 34 per cent in the past decade. Bowel cancer deaths have decreased by six per cent, while breast cancer deaths have fallen by 14 per cent.

Other cancers have also seen notable declines. Cervical and prostate cancer deaths have both dropped by 11 per cent. Deaths from leukemia are down by nine per cent, while esophageal cancer deaths have fallen by 12 per cent.

Experts say improved diagnosis, new therapies and better awareness are playing a key role in these trends.

Screening And Vaccination Making A Difference

One of the biggest public health successes has been the decline in cervical cancer deaths. Since the 1970s, deaths from cervical cancer have fallen by around 75 per cent in the UK. Health experts attribute much of this progress to the national cervical screening programme run by the NHS.

Screening helps detect abnormal cells early, allowing treatment before cancer develops or spreads.

Another major contributor is the human papillomavirus vaccine, commonly known as the HPV vaccine. The vaccine protects against the virus responsible for most cervical cancer cases. It is routinely offered to schoolchildren in the UK, and since its introduction in 2008, at least 6.5 million young people have received it.

Public health experts believe the vaccine will continue to reduce cervical cancer rates in the coming decades.

Some Cancer Death Rates Still Rising

Despite the overall progress, the data also shows worrying increases in deaths from certain cancers. Gallbladder cancer deaths have risen by 29 per cent, while deaths from eye cancer have increased by 26 per cent.

Liver cancer deaths are up by 14 per cent, and kidney cancer deaths have risen by five per cent. Meanwhile, death rates for thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer and melanoma have remained largely unchanged.

Another important trend is that the total number of people dying from cancer continues to rise. This is largely due to population growth and an ageing population, as cancer risk increases with age.

Calls For More Research And Clinical Trials

Experts say the long-term decline in cancer deaths reflects decades of medical research and innovation. However, they stress that continued investment is necessary to sustain progress.

Cancer Research UK researcher Dr Sam Godfrey said the figures show the impact of scientific breakthroughs over many years. He has called on the government to support more clinical trials and ensure that NHS staff have enough time and resources to take part in life saving research.

Public health policies such as smoking bans, along with screening programmes and vaccines, are also credited with helping drive down cancer deaths across the country.

Are you in the habit of catching up on social media or news updates while sitting on the pot? A new study shows you may be "unintentionally" spending extra time and increasing your risk of developing painful hemorrhoids by 46 percent.

The study, published in the open-access journal PLOS One, explained that getting distracted by news or social media can increase pressure on sensitive anal tissues, which leads to hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins around your anus or in your lower rectum.

"Using a smartphone while on the toilet was linked to a 46 percent increased chance of having hemorrhoids. We're still uncovering the many ways smartphones and our modern way of life impact our health,” Trisha Pasricha, from the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in the US.

“It's possible that how and where we use them -- such as while in the bathroom -- can have unintended consequences," she added.

For the study, the researchers examined data from colonoscopies of 125 adults in America, and conducted an online survey to understand their lifestyle habits and behavior while using the toilet.

Two-thirds of the participants reported using their smartphones while on

the toilet. Compared with those who did not, endoscopists found that they had a 46 percent higher risk of hemorrhoids.

Longer Toilet Time And Mobile Scrolling

More than a third of bathroom smartphone users reported spending more than five minutes there during a single visit -- reading news (54.3 percent), or browsing social media (44.4 percent).

In comparison, just 7.1 percent of non-users reported staying that long.

"Smartphone use may unintentionally extend the time people spend sitting on the toilet. Sitting for longer periods could increase pressure on tissues in the anal region, which may contribute to the development of hemorrhoids,” the researchers said.

Pasricha suggested individuals leave smartphones outside the bathroom to understand the actual time it takes for a bowel movement.

"If it's taking longer, ask yourself why. Was it because having a bowel movement was really so difficult, or was it because my focus was elsewhere?" she said, calling for more studies.

Hemorrhoids: The Symptoms, Risk Factors

Studies estimate that hemorrhoidal disease affects 40% of people all over the world, and it is one of the most common diseases in the anorectal region.

The two types of hemorrhoids are:

• external hemorrhoids -- under the skin around the anus
• internal hemorrhoids -- in the lining of the anus and lower rectum

• bright red rectal bleeding during bowel movements,
• anal itching or irritation, pain or discomfort (especially while sitting),
• swelling or hard, tender lumps around the anus

• straining during bowel movements
• sitting on the toilet for too long
• chronic constipation or diarrhea
• eating low fiber foods
• older age >50
• pregnancy
• lifting heavy objects

• consume 25-35g of fiber daily,
• drink 6-8 glasses of water,
• avoid straining,
• limit toilet time to under five minutes
• do not delay bowel movements,
• maintain hygiene.