Running might cure your fast-food hangover, study suggests
New research suggests a bit of movement can reset your mood, no matter what’s on the menu
Most runners know that a good workout can lift your mood. Now, new research from University College Cork suggests running might also help your brain recover after eating a lot of sugary, high-fat foods—the kind many of us reach for after a long day or late night. While it’s absolutely normal to crave or enjoy those foods—runners, especially, need carbs and fat for energy— sometimes they just don’t leave us feeling our best the next day, and running might help.
What the researchers found
In the study, published in Brain Medicine, scientists looked at how diet and exercise affect mood and brain function. They fed one group of animals a standard diet and another group a “cafeteria-style” menu filled with sweets and fatty foods. Some were also given access to a running wheel.
The study used rats, which often respond to food and activity in ways similar to humans. The animals on the high-fat, high-sugar diet showed more signs of low mood. But when they had the chance to run, those signs eased. Even without changing their diet, exercise seemed to help them feel better.
What was happening inside
The research team found that the cafeteria diet changed many of the chemical compounds in the rats’ guts, but running helped bring some of those back toward balance. A few of these compounds are linked to mood regulation. Exercise also lowered certain hormones tied to metabolism and appetite, suggesting it helped the body reset.
Why it matters
The study shows that regular movement can help protect mental health, even when your diet isn’t packed full of nutrition. It also found that eating habits influence how the brain benefits from exercise—meaning that combining both healthy food and physical activity gives the best overall boost.
The takeaway
No one eats well all the time, and that’s OK. The key message is that moving your body, whether through running, walking or any activity you enjoy, can help you feel better, inside and out, no matter your diet. A little movement really can go a long way toward restoring balance.
