When we think about the pillars of good health, diet and exercise usually top the list. But new research from UCLA Health suggests that the quality of our relationships—particularly high-quality marriages—may be just as important. The study, published in Gut Microbes, reveals that strong social bonds can influence weight and eating behaviours through a complex communication system between the brain and gut, orchestrated by the hormone oxytocin, often called “the love hormone.”
This groundbreaking work highlights a fascinating truth: our emotional connections don’t just warm our hearts—they may also help regulate our waistlines.
The UCLA team, led by neuroscientist Dr Arpana Church, studied nearly 100 participants from the Los Angeles area. They collected data on marital status, body mass index (BMI), diet, socioeconomic status, and emotional support networks.
Participants underwent brain imaging while viewing food images, provided faecal samples to measure gut metabolites, and had their blood plasma tested for oxytocin levels. The findings were striking.
Married individuals who reported strong emotional support had lower BMIs and fewer food addiction behaviours compared to those in less supportive marriages. Brain scans revealed enhanced activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex—the region responsible for self-control and appetite regulation—when these participants viewed tempting food images. In contrast, unmarried individuals, regardless of their support networks, did not show the same brain activity patterns.
Central to the study is oxytocin, a hormone long associated with bonding, trust, and affection. Church describes oxytocin as “a conductor orchestrating a symphony between the brain and gut.” In participants with strong marital support, oxytocin levels were higher, strengthening brain circuits that resist cravings while simultaneously promoting healthier gut metabolic profiles.
This dual action is crucial. On one hand, oxytocin enhances self-control in the brain. On the other, it influences gut bacteria to produce beneficial metabolites, such as tryptophan derivatives, which regulate inflammation, immune function, energy balance, and even mood. These metabolites are also involved in serotonin production, linking gut health directly to emotional well-being.
The gut microbiome—the trillions of bacteria living in our digestive tract—has emerged as a powerful determinant of health. It influences everything from digestion and immunity to mood and cognition. In this study, participants with stronger social support showed beneficial changes in tryptophan metabolites, underscoring how social bonds can shape microbial activity.
This finding aligns with a growing body of research showing that stress, loneliness, and poor social connections can disrupt gut microbiota, leading to inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and even depression. Conversely, positive relationships may foster microbial diversity and resilience, supporting both physical and mental health.
Church suggests that marriage itself may serve as a “training ground for self-control.” Long-term partnerships require individuals to override destructive impulses and align with shared goals—skills that may strengthen the same brain circuits involved in managing eating behaviour. In this way, the daily practice of compromise and emotional regulation in relationships could spill over into healthier lifestyle choices.
But the benefits are not universal. The study emphasises that it is the quality of emotional support, not simply marital status, that matters. A strained or unsupportive relationship may not confer the same protective effects and could even exacerbate stress-related health risks.
For decades, public health messaging has focused on diet and exercise as the cornerstones of obesity prevention. While these remain critical, the UCLA study challenges us to broaden our perspective. Emotional support and social connection are not just “nice-to-haves”—they are biologically embedded in our health.
Supportive relationships may amplify the effects of healthy eating and physical activity by reinforcing self-control, reducing stress, and fostering gut microbial balance. This integrated approach could open new avenues for obesity prevention and treatment, combining lifestyle medicine with social interventions.
The authors caution that their study captured data at a single point in time, meaning it cannot definitively establish cause-and-effect relationships. Most participants were overweight or obese, and married individuals tended to be older, which may have influenced results. Larger, more diverse, and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the mechanisms further.
Still, the implications are profound. If future research supports these results, healthcare providers may one day prescribe not only dietary changes and exercise regimens but also strategies to build and sustain strong social bonds.
The UCLA study adds to a growing recognition that human health is deeply relational. Our microbiome thrives not only on fibre-rich foods, fermented products, and diverse plant-based diets but also on the emotional nourishment of supportive relationships. Stress and isolation can disrupt microbial balance, while love and connection may foster resilience.
For readers of Whole Food Living, this research reinforces a holistic view of wellness. Eating whole, plant-based foods supports gut diversity and metabolic health. But equally important is cultivating strong, supportive relationships—whether through marriage, friendships, or community ties. Together, these elements form a foundation for long-term well-being.
In short, love and connection are not just emotional luxuries; they are biological necessities. As Dr Church notes, “Social connections aren’t just emotionally fulfilling; they’re biologically embedded in our health.”
By nurturing both our gut microbiome and our social bonds, we can create a powerful synergy that protects against obesity, enhances resilience, and promotes human flourishing.
In the end, the path to health may be as much about who we share our meals with as what’s on the plate.
