How processed food affects your brain

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About the research

Did you know that processed food could do more than impact your waistline and may actually affect your brain? Certain gut bacteria produce a gas called hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) when exposed to processed food. This gas has been linked to inflammation in the brain and may contribute to neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Parkash Singh Rawati (VUB) compares the gut microbiota of MS patients with healthy individuals to identify the bacterial genes responsible for H₂S production. By studying this gut-brain connection, he wants to develop new targeted therapies, including diet-based treatments and probiotics.

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Parkash Singh Rawati
VUB

As a biotechnologist turned microbiologist, Parkash is driven by a deep interest in microbiomes and their impact on the human body. He completed his Ph.D. at Shandong University in 2023, with a focus on gut microbiology, ecology, and enzymology. In his current role as postdoctoral researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Brussels, he is exploring gut microbiota, health, and environmental interactions to characterize specific gut bacteria and their implication in multiple sclerosis. 

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