Supportive marriages linked to lower obesity risk through oxytocin and gut health, UCLA study finds.

A UCLA Health study published in Gut Microbes links emotionally supportive marriages to lower obesity risk by strengthening the brain-gut axis via oxytocin. Among nearly 100 participants, those in supportive marriages had lower BMI, reduced food addiction, improved brain activity in appetite control regions, healthier gut metabolites, and higher oxytocin levels. These findings suggest strong relationships may enhance self-control and metabolic health, positioning emotional support as a potential factor in obesity prevention—though researchers note the need for long-term, diverse studies to confirm causality.