Certificate of Achievement

Shirley Heelas

has completed the following course:

Food for Thought: The Relationship Between Food, Gut and Brain

EIT Food and University of Turin

The relationship between food and brain works in both directions. This course explored the effect the food we eat has on the brain using examples such as diets rich in sugar, nutritional deficiencies and the role of bioactive substances as modulators of brain function. The course also described food choice as a mental process that, far from being purely rational, is affected by sensory characteristics of food, by positive and negative emotions, by our memories, and by neurobiological mechanisms.

5 weeks, 4 hours per week

Maarten van der Kamp

Director of Education

EIT Food

Alessandro Cicerale

Research Fellow, Department of Psychology

University of Turin

Transcript

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the role of our diet on brain function
  • Reflect on the role of psychological and neurobiological factors in our food choices
  • Reflect on the possible causes (biological, social, psychological) of unhealthy and pathological eating behaviours
  • Describe the connection between the brain and our digestive system (gut)
  • Discuss the topics of the course and their relationship with daily life

Syllabus

The course focuses on the relationship between food, brain and mind:

  • How does the brain work?
  • How do emotions and thoughts affect our food choices?
  • How do diets and nutritional deficiencies affect our brain?
  • Reward systems and their relationship with food
  • The link between the microbiome and brain

In association with

Issued on 14th September 2020

The person named on this certificate has completed the activities in the transcript above. For more information about Certificates of Achievement and the effort required to become eligible, visit futurelearn.com/proof-of-learning/certificate-of-achievement.

This certificate represents proof of learning. It is not a formal qualification, degree, or part of a degree.

Free online course:

Food for Thought: The Relationship Between Food, Gut and Brain

EIT Food