Brain 'can be trained to prefer healthy food'

The brain can be trained to prefer healthy food over unhealthy high-calorie foods, using a diet which does not leave people hungry, suggests a study from the US.

Scientists from Tufts University say food addictions can be changed in this way even if they are well-established.

They scanned the addiction centre in the brains of a small group of men and women.

The results showed increased cravings for healthy lower-calorie foods.

Prof Susan B Roberts, senior study author and behavioural nutrition scientist at the Boston university, said: "We don't start out in life loving French fries and hating, for example, wholewheat pasta.

"This conditioning happens over time in response to eating - repeatedly - what is out there in the toxic food environment."

Scientists know that once people are addicted to unhealthy foods, it is usually very hard to change their eating habits and get them to lose weight.

But Prof Roberts' research, published in the journal Nutrition & Diabetes, suggests the brain can learn to like healthy foods.

They studied the part of the brain linked to reward and addiction in 13 overweight and obese men and women, eight of whom were taking part in a specially designed weight-loss programme.

This focused on changing food preferences by prescribing a diet high in fibre and protein, and low in carbohydrates, but which did not allow participants to become hungry because this is when food cravings take over and unhealthy food becomes attractive.

The other five adults were not part of the weight-loss programme.

When their brains were scanned using MRI at the start and end of a six-month period, those following the programme showed changes in the brain's reward centre.

When participants were shown pictures of different types of food, it was the healthy, low-calorie foods which produced an increased reaction.

The study said this indicated an increased reward and enjoyment of healthier food.

The brain's reward centre also showed decreased sensitivity to the unhealthy, higher-calorie foods.

The Boston researchers say that gastric bypass surgery, while solving the problem of weight loss, can take away food enjoyment rather than make healthier foods more appealing.

"There is much more research to be done here, involving many more participants, long-term follow-up and investigating more areas of the brain," Prof Roberts said.

Barnsley bans sugary drinks in 'sugar-free borough' bid

Sugary drinks have been barred from sale at Barnsley Council in a bid to make the town a "sugar-free borough".

The authority launched its food strategy after its public health department identified smoking, excessive drinking and poor diet as major problems for the town.

Council staff said food habits were the "most challenging" things to change.

A full food plan is expected to be adopted by the authority later in the year.

As well as cutting out full-sugar drinks from sale and removing vending machines from council buildings, the cafe at the council's Westgate Plaza headquarters now gives a calorific value on its sandwiches, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The council is working with prospective tenants of the new Market Food Hall, which is currently under construction, with the aim of introducing similar labels.

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Takeaways are being encouraged to offer healthier meal choices and to introduce simple measures like salt shakers with smaller holes, or healthier fats for frying.

Diane Lee, head of public health, said the authority wants Barnsley to become a "sugar-free town."

She said: "Our long-term goal is for all food sold to have its calories displayed, every sandwich in every shop.

"That's a long way off, but it's about giving people the information to lower their sugar and calorie intake."

The council said Barnsley has fewer overweight children than the national average, and public health staff will monitor future results in the hope that it is the start of a positive trend.

Work is being done to maximise school meals' nutritional value and to address "holiday hunger", when children from impoverished backgrounds do not get a good diet once school dinners stop for the holidays.

The town has already adopted a scheme to give weekly healthy food vouchers to families.