(ORDO NEWS) — The radiation emitted by mobile phones is largely absorbed in the head region and can therefore affect, in particular, metabolism and information processing in the brain. Prof. Dr. Kerstin Oltmanns, Head of the Department of Psychoneurobiology at the University of Lübeck, and her research team found out in a study whether there could be a direct link between so-called mobile phone radiation and food consumption.
It was already known from earlier studies that electromagnetic radiation, such as that emitted by mobile phones, increased food intake in rats.
Whether there is such a connection in humans, Professor Kerstin Oltmanns, together with graduate psychologist Evelina Wardzinsky, the head of an observational study, the results of which were recently published in Nutrients, found out.
For the experiment, which took place in three stages at intervals of two weeks, 15 young men were involved. During the study, the subjects were exposed to radiation from two different smartphones, and for control – an imaginary effect.
After that, the participants were allowed to eat at the buffet for any dishes for a certain time. Spontaneous food intake and various blood counts were measured before and after exposure to mobile phones. The energy metabolism of the brain was monitored by magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
In almost all subjects, using both types of smartphones, radiation increased total calorie intake by 22% and 27%, respectively.
Blood tests showed that this was mainly caused by an increase in the amount of carbohydrates in the diet. Measurements of the MRS showed that when exposed to mobile phones, the turnover of energy in the brain increased.
Mobile phone radiation is not only a potential driver of overeating in humans, but also affects brain energy homeostasis, the researchers say, which could open up new avenues for studying obesity and other neuroscience research.
The proven impact of smartphone radiation on the brain and eating behavior, especially in children and young people, will allow more attention to be paid to research in this area in the future.
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