Study Reveals Happy Marriage Can Help Lose Weight, Here's The Explanation

Illustration of a happy marriage. (Freepic)

JAKARTA - So far, marriage is often considered as one of the causes of weight gain. The term happy weight is even quite popular to describe a mate who is more prosperous after marriage, because it is too comfortable to enjoy time together, from watching series to eating without guilt. But recent research shows a different story.

Research from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) found that harmonious and supportive marriage can actually help lose weight in order to stay healthy, even reduce the risk of obesity. The key is not just the status of marriage, but the quality of the relationship itself.

We have long known that social relationships have a major impact on health. Supportive relationships can increase survival chances by up to 50 percent," said Arpana Church, lead researcher and neurologist at UCLA Health, quoted from the New York Post page.

Interestingly, our research shows how emotional support in marriage actually works at a biological level and affects the risk of obesity.

In this study, nearly 100 adults in the Los Angeles area were thoroughly investigated. The researchers analyzed body mass index (BMI), diet, brain activity, hormone levels, emotional support, to digestive tract health.

The results show that individuals who are in warm marriages and support each other have lower BMI and less signs of food addiction than they are in an unhealthy relationship.

Interestingly, when shown a picture of food, unhappy participants in their marriage show higher brain activity in areas that regulate desire and desire. This indicates that they must work harder to control the urge to eat.

One of the important findings from this research is the role of the hormone oxytocin and the communication system between the brain and the intestines. Harmonious couples have higher levels of oxytocin than those who are single.

"Oxytocin is often referred to as the hormone of love. These hormones can reduce stress, help stabilize blood pressure, and play a role in the body recovery process," explains Church.

He added that this hormone helps strengthen brain function related to self-control, as well as encourage healthier metabolism in usu

"Imagine oxytocin as a conductor that reconciles brain and digestive work so that the body is more balanced," he said.

In addition, happy couples also show positive changes in metabolic substances in the intestines, including serotonin, hormones that affect mood, sleep quality, and appetite.

According to Church, healthy marriage can be a place of practice to build self-control.

"Maintaining a long-term relationship requires the ability to withstand impulsive impulses and focus on common goals. This process can strengthen parts of the brain that also play a role in regulating eating behavior," he said.

Even so, he emphasized that the positive impact was not just getting married, but building a stable, positive, and supportive relationship. Other studies also show that strong social ties can reduce the risk of various diseases, including dementia.

So if all this time marriage is synonymous with weight rising, maybe it's time to look from another point of view. Harmonious relationships not only calm the heart, but can also help the body stay healthy, as long as it remains balanced with an active lifestyle and a balanced diet.