垃圾食品可能对幼年大脑造成终身影响

今天你练听力了吗？

🤔️小作业：

1. According to the passage, what is a key finding about the effect of an early-life junk-food diet?

A. It only affects weight gain in childhood.

B. It can be completely reversed by adopting a healthy diet in adulthood.

C. It causes permanent changes to the brain's appetite control that persist into adulthood.

D. It primarily affects the digestive system rather than the brain.

无注释原文：

New Study Discovers that a Childhood Junk-Food Diet Rewires the Brain

From: Inc.com

Recent research found that ultra-processed food permanently alters the brain's ability to control appetite. But there's also a healthy gut response—literally.

A childhood junk-food diet can have a lifelong effect on how the brain regulates appetite, even if a healthier, more nutritious menu is adopted as an adult, according to a new study from University Cork College in Ireland.

Recent research on mice, published in Nature Communications, found that habitual consumption of high-calorie, nutrient-deficient food rewires the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for appetite control and energy balance.

UCC says the rejiggered response in children persists throughout adulthood, raising the risk of obesity.

“What we eat early in life really matters.” said Dr. Cristina Cuesta-Martí, the study's lead author. “Early dietary exposure may leave hidden, long-term effects on feeding behavior that are not immediately visible through weight alone.”

There is, however, some good news. Scientists at APC Microbiome, a leading research center based at UCC, also discovered that the digestive system, with a little help, can reduce the long-term effects of the brain's cravings.

Modifying the gut microbiota with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum APC1472 can counteract and diminish the permanent brain-diet disruptions. This so-called “psychobiotic,” a natural inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract, has been shown to have a positive influence on mood, stress, and appetite.

In addition, a prebiotic blend of FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides) and GOS (Galacto-oligosaccharides) can ramp up the beneficial bacteria in the colon to produce even broader changes in the gut microbiome. These prebiotics are found naturally in food like onions, garlic, and bananas.

“Crucially, our findings show that targeting the gut microbiota can mitigate the long-term effects of an unhealthy early-life diet on later feeding behavior,” said Dr. Harriet Schellekens, the study's lead investigator. “Supporting the gut microbiota from birth helps maintain healthier food-related behaviors into later life.”

The study's discoveries could have an impact on the food and beverage industries, which face mounting pressure to reformulate products amid increasing regulatory and consumer scrutiny over highly processed foods targeted primarily at children. The research could also increase market demand for microbiota-oriented nutrition and related wellness products.

“Studies like this exemplify how fundamental research can lead to potential innovative solutions for major societal challenges,” said Professor John F. Cryan, vice president for research and innovation at UCC and a project collaborator. “By revealing how early-life diet shapes brain pathways involved in the regulation of feeding, this work opens new opportunities for microbiota-based interventions.”

- ◆ -

注：完整题目见本文开头；中文文本为AI翻译，仅供参考

含注释全文：

New Study Discovers that a Childhood Junk-Food Diet Rewires the Brain

From: Inc.com

Recent research found that ultra-processed food permanently alters the brain's ability to control appetite. But there's also a healthy gut response—literally.

最新研究发现，超加工食品会永久性地改变大脑控制食欲的能力。不过，肠道同样有健康的回应机制——这绝非虚言。

柯林斯词典2023年度十大热词之一，表示“超加工的：指食品经过高度加工，含有大量添加剂、人工成分和低营养价值的成分”，英文解释为“(of food) prepared using industrial processes, usually involving a large number of ingredients, many of which would not normally be used in preparing or cooking food at home”

appetite /ˈæpɪtaɪt/ 1）表示“食欲；胃口”，英文解释为“physical desire for food”举个🌰：He suffered from headaches and loss of appetite. 他头痛且食欲不振。

2）表示“强烈欲望”，英文解释为“a strong desire for sth”举个🌰：The public have an insatiable appetite for scandal. 公众对丑事总是喜闻乐道。

gut /ɡʌt/ 作动词，表示“（尤指在烹调前）取出…的内脏”，英文解释为“to remove the inner organs of an animal, especially in preparation for eating it”举个🌰：She gutted the fish and cut off their heads. 她取出鱼的内脏并把鱼头切掉。

作名词，表示“消化道；肠道，肠”，英文解释为“the long tube in the body of a person or animal, through which food moves during the process of digesting food”举个🌰：Meat stays in the gut longer than vegetable matter. 和蔬菜相比，肉类在消化道中停留的时间更长。

sb's gut 表示“凭直觉，凭感情（决定或判断）”，英文解释为“a way of deciding what should be done or what is right, that is based on how someone feels rather than thinking about reasons”举个🌰：My head said that I should go but my gut said I should stay. 理智上我该走，但是感觉告诉我该留。

gut feeling/reaction 表示“直觉，本能，内心感觉”，英文解释为“a strong belief about someone or something that cannot completely be explained and does not have to be decided by reasoning”举个🌰：I have a gut feeling that the relationship won't last. 我有种直觉，这段关系不会太长久。

literally /ˈlɪt.ər.əl.i/ 1）表示“确实地；名副其实地”，英文解释为“using the real or original meaning of a word or phrase”举个🌰：They were responsible for literally millions of deaths. 他们的确对数百万人的死负有责任。

2）表示“逐字（翻译）地”，英文解释为“If you translate literally, you translate each word in a text separately, without looking at how the words are used together in a phrase or sentence.”举个🌰：Translations that are done too literally often don't flow well or don't sound natural. 太拘泥于字面意思的翻译往往会不太流畅或不太自然。

3）表示“（用于强调所说的话）确实，真正地”，英文解释为“used to emphasize what you are saying”举个🌰：He missed that kick literally by miles. 他那一脚踢丢得确实相差好几英里远。

4）表示“只是，仅仅，就”，英文解释为“simply or just”举个🌰：Then you literally cut the sausage down the middle. 那么你就从香肠的中间切开吧。

A childhood junk-food diet can have a lifelong effect on how the brain regulates appetite, even if a healthier, more nutritious menu is adopted as an adult, according to a new study from University Cork College in Ireland.

爱尔兰科克大学（University Cork College）的一项新研究揭示，童年时期摄入垃圾食品，会在大脑调节食欲的机制上留下终身烙印——即便成年后转向更健康、更营养的饮食，也难以彻底抹去这一印记。

junk food /ˈdʒʌŋk ˌfuːd/ 表示“垃圾食品”，英文解释为“food that is unhealthy but is quick and easy to eat”

nutritious /njuːˈtrɪʃ.əs/ 表示“营养丰富的，营养价值高的”，英文解释为“containing many of the substances needed for life and growth”如：a nutritious diet 营养丰富的饮食。

Recent research on mice, published in Nature Communications, found that habitual consumption of high-calorie, nutrient-deficient food rewires the hypothalamus, the part of the brain responsible for appetite control and energy balance.

近期发表于《自然通讯》（Nature Communications）的一项小鼠研究显示，长期摄入高热量、低营养的食物，会重塑下丘脑（hypothalamus）——大脑中掌管食欲控制与能量平衡的关键区域。

habitual /həˈbɪtʃ.u.əl/ 表示“通常的；习惯性的”，英文解释为“usual or repeated”如：a habitual thief 惯偷，habitual drug use 吸毒成瘾。

consumption /kənˈsʌmp.ʃən/ 表示“食用；消费；消耗”，英文解释为“the act of using, eating, or drinking something”举个🌰：The meat was clearly unfit for human consumption (= not safe for people to eat). 这肉显然不适合给人食用。

calorie /ˈkæl.ər.i/ 表示“卡，卡路里（测量食物所含热量的单位）”，英文解释为“a unit of energy, often used as a measurement of the amount of energy that food provides”举个🌰：There are about 50 calories in an apple. 一个苹果大约含有50卡路里的热量。

deficient /dɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/ 表示“缺乏的，缺少的”，英文解释为“not having enough of”举个🌰：A diet deficient in vitamin D may cause the disease rickets. 饮食中缺乏维生素D可导致佝偻病。

rewire /ˌriːˈwaɪər/ 表示“给…重装电线；给…重新配线”，英文解释为“to put a new system of electric wires into a building or machine”举个🌰：You really should have the whole house rewired - the existing wiring isn't safe. 你真的应该把整座房子的线路都更换重布——现在用的这些电线不安全。

在这个语境下，rewire用了比喻义，字面是“重新布线、更换线路”，引申为“重新连接、改变（神经回路）”。

UCC says the rejiggered response in children persists throughout adulthood, raising the risk of obesity.

科克大学指出，儿童时期受重塑的大脑反应会延续至成年，从而显著增加肥胖风险。

rejig /ˌriːˈdʒɪɡ/ 美式rejigger，表示“重新安排；重新布置；调整；改造”，英文解释为“to change and improve the arrangement of something”举个🌰：We'll have to rejig the shed in order to get the extra chairs in. 我们得重新布置一下棚屋，以便能放更多的椅子。

persist /pəˈsɪst/ 1）表示“继续存在（发生）；持续；存留”，英文解释为“If something bad persists, it continues to exist or happen”举个🌰：If the pain persists, you must see a doctor. 如果一直痛，你就必须去看医生了。

2）表示“坚持；执意”，英文解释为“to continue to do something, although this is difficult, or other people oppose it”举个🌰：‘I don't think it's right,’ He persisted. “我认为那不对。”他坚持说道。

obesity /oʊˈbiːsəti/ 表示“肥胖”，英文解释为“the fact of being extremely fat, in a way that is dangerous for health”

📍词根“obes-”来自拉丁语“obesus”，意味着“肥胖的”。近义词：overweight（超重），同根词：obese（肥胖的），常用短语：combat obesity（对抗肥胖症）

“What we eat early in life really matters.” said Dr. Cristina Cuesta-Martí, the study's lead author. “Early dietary exposure may leave hidden, long-term effects on feeding behavior that are not immediately visible through weight alone.”

该研究的第一作者克里斯蒂娜·奎斯塔-马蒂博士（Dr. Cristina Cuesta-Martí）强调：“幼年时期的饮食选择至关重要。这些早期的饮食经历，可能会在进食行为上留下隐秘而深远的烙印，而这些影响并非仅凭体重秤上的数字就能一目了然。”

There is, however, some good news. Scientists at APC Microbiome, a leading research center based at UCC, also discovered that the digestive system, with a little help, can reduce the long-term effects of the brain's cravings.

不过，也有令人欣慰的消息。科克大学旗下的顶尖研究中心APC微生物组（APC Microbiome）的科学家们发现，消化系统在适当助力下，能够削弱大脑对垃圾食品的长期渴求。

digestive system /daɪˈdʒes.tɪv ˌsɪs.təm/ 表示“消化系统”，英文解释为“the organs in your body involved with the digestion of food”

craving /ˈkreɪ.vɪŋ/ 表示“渴望，热望；难以抑制的渴求”，英文解释为“a strong feeling of wanting something”举个🌰：I have a craving for chocolate. 我很想吃巧克力。

Modifying the gut microbiota with the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium longum APC1472 can counteract and diminish the permanent brain-diet disruptions. This so-called “psychobiotic,” a natural inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract, has been shown to have a positive influence on mood, stress, and appetite.

通过使用益生菌菌株长双歧杆菌APC1472（Bifidobacterium longum APC1472）来调节肠道微生物群，可以抵消并减轻大脑因饮食而发生的永久性紊乱。这种被称为“精神益生菌”（psychobiotic）的细菌，是胃肠道的天然居民，已被证实对情绪、压力和食欲具有积极调节作用。

表示“（稍作）修改，更改，改造，改变”，英文解释为“to change something such as a plan, opinion, law, or way of behaviour slightly, usually to improve it or make it more acceptable”举个🌰：The proposals were unpopular and were only accepted in a modified form. 这些建议不受欢迎，修改之后才得以接受。

microbiota（微生物群）指的是生活在特定环境（如人体肠道、皮肤、口腔等）中的微生物集合体，主要包括细菌、真菌、病毒等。在生物学和医学语境下，最常见的用法是：Gut microbiota（肠道菌群）：指生活在人和动物肠道内的数万亿微生物，对消化、免疫、甚至大脑功能都有重要影响。

probiotic /ˌprəʊ.baɪˈɒt.ɪk/ 表示“（含帮助健康的有益细菌的）益生菌食物（或药片）”，英文解释为“a food or pill that contains good bacteria that may keep you healthy”

strain /streɪn/ 1）表示“压力；重负；重压之下出现的问题（或担忧等）”，英文解释为“pressure on sb/sth because they have too much to do or manage, or sth very difficult to deal with; the problems, worry or anxiety that this produces”举个🌰：You will learn to cope with the stresses and strains of public life. 你要学会怎样应付公众人物生活的紧张和辛劳。

2）表示“（动植物的）品系，株系，品种”，英文解释为“an animal or plant from a particular group whose characteristics are different in some way from others of the same group”举个🌰：Scientists have discovered a new strain of the virus which is much more dangerous. 科学家们已经发现了一种危险得多的新病毒。

📍此前9000名乘客因鼻拭子重复使用受害文中出现的例句：The health ministry confirmed this week that it had recorded two cases of the more infectious strain that was first detected in India. 卫生部本周证实，已发现了两例在印度首次发现的更具传染性的病毒株。

3）表示“（肌肉等软组织的）损伤，拉伤，扭伤”，英文解释为“an injury to a muscle or similar soft part of the body caused by using that part too much”如：a groin/hamstring strain 腹股沟/腘旁腱拉伤。

4）strains 表示“旋律；曲调”，英文解释为“the sound of music being played or performed”举个🌰：I could hear the strains of Mozart in the background. 我听见背景音中有莫扎特的旋律。

counteract /ˌkaʊn.tərˈækt/ 表示“抵消；对抗；减少”，英文解释为“to reduce or remove the effect of something unwanted by producing an opposite effect”举个🌰：Drinking a lot of water counteracts the dehydrating effects of hot weather. 大量饮水可缓解炎热天气引起的脱水。

📺美剧《绝命毒师》（Breaking Bad）中的台词提到：Although, we'll prescribe an anti-emetic and try to counteract that. 不过我们会开些止吐剂 帮助缓解症状。

1）表示“减少；（使）减弱，缩减；降低”，英文解释为“to become or to make sth become smaller, weaker, etc.”举个🌰：His influence has diminished with time. 随着时间的推移，他的影响已不如从前了。

2）表示“贬低；贬损；轻视”，英文解释为“to make sb/sth seem less important than they really are”举个🌰：I don't wish to diminish the importance of their contribution. 我并不想贬低他们所作贡献的重要性。

inhabitant /ɪnˈhæb.ɪ.tənt/ 表示“（某地的）居民，栖居动物”，英文解释为“a person or animal that lives in a particular place”如：a city of five million inhabitants 拥有500万居民的城市。

In addition, a prebiotic blend of FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides) and GOS (Galacto-oligosaccharides) can ramp up the beneficial bacteria in the colon to produce even broader changes in the gut microbiome. These prebiotics are found naturally in food like onions, garlic, and bananas.

此外，一种由低聚果糖（FOS，Fructo-oligosaccharides）和低聚半乳糖（GOS，Galacto-oligosaccharides）混合而成的益生元，能够促进结肠中有益菌群的增殖，从而在肠道微生物组中带来更广泛的变化。这些益生元天然存在于洋葱、大蒜和香蕉等食物中。

表示“益生元”，英文解释为“a food or pill containing fibre that helps good bacteria grow in your body and may keep you healthy”

blend /blend/ 表示“（不同东西或风格的）混合品，混合物”，英文解释为“a mixture of different things or styles”如：a rich blend of the finest coffee beans 各种上等咖啡豆的混合品。

作动词，blend /blend/ 表示“（使）混合，（使）混杂;（使）交融”，英文解释为“to mix or combine together”举个🌰：Blend the ingredients into a smooth paste. 将这些原料混和成均匀的糊状。

1）表示“（公司）扩大，增加，增多（业务等）”，英文解释为“If a business ramps up its activity, it increases it.”举个🌰：The company announced plans to ramp up production to 10,000 units per month. 这家公司宣布了每月生产1万件的增产计划。

2）表示“加快（速度）；增加（威力）；提高（费用）”，英文解释为“to increase the speed, power, or cost of something”举个🌰：Mitsubishi has ramped up the speed of its new micro-controllers. 三菱公司已经提高了其新生产的微控制器的运行速度。

“Crucially, our findings show that targeting the gut microbiota can mitigate the long-term effects of an unhealthy early-life diet on later feeding behavior,” said Dr. Harriet Schellekens, the study's lead investigator. “Supporting the gut microbiota from birth helps maintain healthier food-related behaviors into later life.”

该研究的首席研究员哈里特·谢勒肯斯博士（Dr. Harriet Schellekens）指出：“关键在于，我们的研究结果表明，通过靶向调节肠道微生物群，可以减轻早期不健康饮食对后期进食行为的长期影响。从生命之初就呵护肠道微生物群，有助于在日后维持更健康的饮食行为。”

mitigate /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ 表示“减轻，缓解，缓和”，英文解释为“to make a situation or the effects of something less unpleasant, harmful, or serious”举个🌰：Measures need to be taken to mitigate the environmental effects of burning more coal. 需要采取措施来减轻燃煤增加对环境造成的影响。

📍词根“mitig-”来自拉丁语“mitigare”，意味着“使柔和”，表示通过某种措施减轻不良影响或状况。近义词：alleviate（缓解），同根词：mitigation（缓解），常用短语：mitigate a problem（减轻问题）

The study's discoveries could have an impact on the food and beverage industries, which face mounting pressure to reformulate products amid increasing regulatory and consumer scrutiny over highly processed foods targeted primarily at children. The research could also increase market demand for microbiota-oriented nutrition and related wellness products.

这项研究的发现可能对食品和饮料行业产生深远影响。当前，监管机构和消费者对主要面向儿童的高加工食品审查日益严格，迫使这些行业面临越来越大的产品配方调整压力。此外，这项研究还可能激发市场对以肠道微生物群为导向的营养品及相关健康产品的需求。

mount /maʊnt/ 作动词，1）表示“准备；安排；组织；开展，发动”，英文解释为“If you mount a campaign or event, you organize it and make it take place.”举个🌰：The National Gallery mounted an exhibition of American painting. 国家美术馆举办了美国画展。

2）表示“逐步增加；增长，上升”，就是increase的高级版，举个🌰：The death toll continues to mount. 死亡人数持续增加。

📍2019年9月，美国电子烟巨头Juul的CEO辞职时，经济学人的文章中用到了As concerns mount这一表达：Juul replaced its chief executive, as concerns mount about the health risks of e-cigarettes.

3）表示“安放，安装；镶嵌；裱贴”，英文解释为“to fix something to a wall, in a frame, etc., so that it can be looked at or used”举个🌰：The surveillance camera is mounted above the main door. 闭路电视的摄像机安装在大门的上方。

4）熟词僻义，作动词，表示“骑上（马、自行车等）”，英文解释为“to get on a horse, bicycle, etc.. in order to ride”举个🌰：She mounted her horse and rode off. 她骑上马走了。

mounting /ˈmaʊn.tɪŋ/ 作形容词，表示“增加的；加剧的”，英文解释为“gradually increasing”如：mounting anxiety/excitement 不断增长的焦虑/兴奋。

📺美剧《美国恐怖故事》（American Horror Story）中的台词提到：But there's mounting evidence that this man is a war criminal. 但是有大量的证据显示这人是个战犯。

“Studies like this exemplify how fundamental research can lead to potential innovative solutions for major societal challenges,” said Professor John F. Cryan, vice president for research and innovation at UCC and a project collaborator. “By revealing how early-life diet shapes brain pathways involved in the regulation of feeding, this work opens new opportunities for microbiota-based interventions.”

科克大学研究与创新副校长、项目合作者约翰·F·克里安教授（Professor John F. Cryan）表示：“这类研究展示了基础研究如何为重大社会挑战带来潜在的创新解决方案。通过揭示早期饮食如何塑造与进食调节相关的大脑通路，这项工作为基于肠道微生物群的干预措施开辟了全新的可能性。”

exemplify /ɪɡˈzem.plɪ.faɪ/ 表示“作为…的典范（或范例、典型、榜样等）；举例说明”，英文解释为“to be or give a typical example of something”举个🌰：This painting perfectly exemplifies the naturalistic style which was so popular at the time. 这幅油画是那个时期风靡一时的自然主义风格的完美典范。

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