Minnesota Starvation Experiment
Fats
Carbs
Microbiome and gut-brain axis
100

How many meals per day did participants eat during the semi-starvation phase of the experiment?

2 meals per day

100

List one food source of essential fats

flax seeds, olive oil, nuts, nut butters, avocado, fish

100

True or false: The brain only needs energy (carbs/glucose) during certain times of the day?

False - brain is constantly active and needs a constant supply of energy 

100

True or false: a healthy gut contains a variety of different kinds of bacterias 

True! Poor gut has low diversity 

200

List 2 of the psychological effects the participants experienced during the semi-starvation phase of the experiment

impaired judgement, depression, mood swings, irritability and anger, personality changes, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating

200

Name one of the essential fats 

omega-3 and omega-6

200

Name the two main types of carbohydrates

simple and complex 

200

How many different species of bacteria can be found in the human gut?

a) 100-200

b) 500+

c) 1000

d) 30

500+

300

True or false: during the semi-starvation phase, the participants ate a variety of foods from all the food groups

False (mostly just grains, little meat and dairy)

300

The human brain is made up of nearly ___% fat?

a) 60%

b) 90%

c) 40%

d) 10%

a) 60%

300

How much of the body's total glucose does the brain use?

20% 

300

What is the name of the nerve that passes messages back and forth between the gut and brain?

Vagus nerve
400

When (during what historical event) and why did the Minnesota Starvation Experiment happen?

- During world war 2

- war was causing global food shortages

- researchers wanted to know how starvation effects body and brain, and how they could help people recover from starvation

400

Name one vitamin that we may not absorb enough of if there is no fat in our food

vitami D (also A, E, K)

400

When the stomach is empty, ____ is released to signal the brain that we are hungry. After we have eaten, ____ is released to tell the brain we are satisfied. (Ghrelin/Leptin) 

When the stomach is empty, _Ghrelin_ is released to signal the brain that we are hungry. After we have eaten, _Leptin_ is released to tell the brain we are satisfied.

400
Which type of carbohydrates are important to "feed" the good bacteria in the gut?

Complex carbs (or fiber)