Memory-Driven Cravings: A Hidden Force Behind Overeating

I’ve been digging into the science of food cravings—especially why we’re so drawn to sugar and fat—and came across a fascinating new study published in Nature Metabolism in mice. Researchers discovered that specific memory-related neurons in the brain get activated by high-fat and high-sugar foods. These neurons don’t just light up during eating—they store the memory of these foods, triggering cravings later on, even when the mice weren’t hungry. Silencing these neurons reduced sugar consumption and helped protect against weight gain.

The Brain’s Food Memory System: Fat and Sugar on Separate Tracks

The study identified two distinct populations of neurons in the dorsal hippocampus that respond separately to sugar and fat. This suggests that the brain maintains separate memory pathways for these macronutrients. When both pathways are activated simultaneously, such as when consuming ultra-processed foods rich in both fat and sugar, the reward response is amplified, potentially making these foods more irresistible.

Evolutionary Adaptation Meets Modern Food Environment

Historically, the ability to remember the location and sensory attributes of calorie-rich foods was crucial for survival. However, in today's environment, where such foods are abundant and constantly advertised, these memory-driven mechanisms can lead to overeating. The brain's reward system, influenced by dopamine release, reinforces these food memories, making it challenging to resist cravings triggered by environmental cues.

Potential Therapeutic Avenues: Rewiring Food Memories

The findings open up possibilities for interventions targeting these specific hippocampal neurons to modulate food-related memories and cravings. By understanding and potentially altering the neural encoding of food memories, it may be possible to develop strategies to combat overeating and obesity.

Top Takeaway

Your brain remembers junk food—and not just how it tastes. These food memories can quietly drive cravings and overeating, even when you're not physically hungry. Understanding this hidden mechanism may be key to making healthier choices.

Travel: The Overlooked Pillar of Healthy Aging

When we talk about healthy aging, we often focus on nutrition and exercise as the cornerstones of well-being. But did you know that leisure travel also plays a key role in supporting a vibrant, healthy life as we grow older? Recent research reveals that exploring new places—whether close to home or across the globe—can offer powerful benefits for the mind, mood, and social connections of older adults. Here are a few benefits cited in a 2024 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (1).

Loneliness Takes a Hike
Older adults who travel—locally, domestically, or internationally—report significantly lower loneliness levels than those who stay home. Travel offers opportunities to connect with others, form new friendships, and strengthen existing relationships, all of which help reduce feelings of isolation.

Mood Lifts and Minds Stay Sharp
Travelers experience fewer depressive symptoms and enjoy better cognitive function. The farther the journey, the greater the benefits: international travelers show the highest cognitive scores and the lowest rates of depression. Engaging in new environments and activities stimulates the brain, helping to keep it active and resilient.

A Dose-Response for Well-Being
There’s a clear “dose-response” effect: the more ambitious the travel (from local outings to international adventures), the stronger the positive impact on mental health and cognition. Local day trips can help, but venturing farther brings even greater rewards. This is because long-distance travel usually means being less familiar with the destination, which demands more physical, mental, and cognitive effort.

Even “Virtual Travel” Can Improve Wellbeing
For those with mobility and financial barriers, research has shown that virtual reality (VR) travel experiences can improve well-being. A six-week pilot study on virtual reality tourism for older adults in residential care found immediate benefits, including enhanced happiness, engagement, and relaxation following immersive VR sessions (2).​

Learn More About Ageless Travel
Given the growing research on how travel supports healthy aging, I’m thrilled to welcome Adriane Berg—author, speaker, and founder of The Ageless Traveler—to our Wellness Wednesday series this December. Together, we’ll explore how travel can remain a meaningful part of life at any age, and talk candidly about the common obstacles—physical, financial, and emotional—that can get in the way. More importantly, we’ll share practical ways to overcome them so that the joy of exploration stays within reach, no matter your stage of life.

In Defense of Seed Oils

Have you heard of the “Hateful 8?” No, it’s not a new crime series on Netflix. The “Hateful 8” is used in the blogosphere to defame the eight types of seed oils: Canola, Corn, Cottonseed, Soy, Sunflower, Safflower, Grapeseed, and Rice Bran. Seed oils are being blamed for everything from obesity to heart disease to autoimmune disorders to diabetes, but this reputation is undeserved.

Here’s What the Science Says

Seed oils, such as canola, corn, sunflower, and soybean oils, are rich in omega-6 polyunsaturated fats, which are essential for the body and can help reduce bad cholesterol levels, thereby lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke, according to the American Heart Association. However, they don’t play as much of a role in reducing cardiovascular risk as omega-3 fats (found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna or in walnut oil and flaxseed oil), which can give them a bad rap.

We Over Consume Omega-6 Fats

The challenge is that Americans tend to overconsume omega-6 fats, not because we’re cooking with them but because they are a key ingredient in most ultra-processed foods. (Think baked goods, chips, frozen meals, and packaged sauces and dressings.) We’re eating a lot more omega-6 than omega-3 fats, and we’re getting them from foods laced with other ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, added sugar, and sodium.

Do Seed Oils Cause Inflammation?

While omega-6 fats are sometimes criticized for being pro-inflammatory, “the amount of inflammation associated with them has not been shown to be harmful,” says Stanford nutrition scientist Dr. Christopher Gardner. He points out that the real concern should be the overconsumption of ultra-processed foods. In these foods, seed oils aren't the problem; it’s the overall dietary pattern. The focus should be on achieving a healthy balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids rather than avoiding seed oils outright.

What About Seed Oil Processing?

In food production, a chemical called “hexane” is used to extract edible oils from seeds and vegetables. The trace amounts of hexane used to extract seed oils “do not make these oils harmful,” per Dr. Gardner.

What About Cooking?

Using seed oils for cooking, such as stir-frying vegetables with sesame oil, is fine. You can also enjoy them in a salad dressing. These are small amounts. You’re not drinking seed oils (at least, I hope you’re not!)

Thank You from the Heart

This is my fifth year of writing a Thanksgiving blog, and I'm always trying to outdo myself with something profound to say. My husband, Rob, wisely pointed out that I could just say "Thank You."

hank you from my heart to the thousands of Wellness Wednesday participants, the exceptional thought leaders who contribute their wisdom in these sessions, and more than a dozen "promoting partners" who share Wellness Wednesday within their community.

When I first started Wellness Wednesday in April 2020, six people came. My next program attracted nine. Since then, Wellness Wednesday has reached more than 15,000 registered participants in 57 countries. Many of you also sponsor Wellness Wednesdays, and I donate these funds to provide healthy meals to sick and vulnerable older adults in the San Francisco Bay Area. Together, we have provided more than 800 meals to nourish those who need it.

In this "third act" of my career, I can't believe that I get to do this important and satisfying work. I love my job and all the people (and dogs) in my life!

Thank you for being part of this community. I appreciate every email you send and every kind word you share. 

Happy Thanksgiving from the Duplantiers!

Is Prolonged Standing Hazardous to Your Health?

We’ve heard the phrase, “sitting is the new smoking,” because prolonged sitting is associated with a host of negative health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even increased mortality risk (1,2). But what about prolonged standing? According to a new study from Australia, prolonged standing presents health risks, too.

The Study and Its Findings

A study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology (3), involving over 83,000 participants, took a closer look at the effect of prolonged standing at standing desks and measured the impact on heart health. The average age of these participants was 61 years.

The study reaffirmed that sitting for more than 10 hours a day is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Surprisingly, the researchers discovered that simply standing more didn’t offset these risks. In fact, extended standing was linked to a higher likelihood of circulatory issues, such as varicose veins and dizziness.

Movement Is the Missing Link

Static positions, whether sitting or standing, may not be the best approach for health. Instead of simply replacing sitting with standing, health experts say it is crucial to incorporate regular, varied movements throughout the day.

What’s Your Tip to “Move More” Throughout the Day?

I’d love to hear how you build movement into your day. I’m not talking about exercise—just moving more. My dog Bella can be as sedentary as her mom, so we have started taking “joy breaks.” Every hour or so, we get up, walk around the backyard, and enjoy nature for a few minutes.