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The Gut–Brain Connection: Can What You Eat Really Change How You Feel?

26th September 2025

In a time of rising stress, emotional fatigue and mental overwhelm, Goodwood Health & Wellbeing introduces the Mood Food Connection Retreat, a science-informed, holistic health journey into how food, gut health and neuroscience converge to restore emotional balance, clarity and resilience.

Set in the peaceful expanse of Goodwood’s 11,000-acre estate, this retreat is inspired by the work of clinical nutritionist Stephanie Moore, author of Eat Your Brain Happy, whose philosophy translates cutting-edge research into practical, sustainable wellbeing.

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The Gut–Brain Axis: The Science Behind “What You Eat Changes How You Feel”

Modern neuroscience now supports what traditional wisdom long suggested: our digestive system and brain are in constant two-way communication. The microbiome-gut-brain axis describes how gut microbes, neural pathways (like the vagus nerve), immune signalling and endocrine systems interact to influence mood, cognition and stress response. 

In people with depression or anxiety, studies often find altered microbial diversity and disruptions in neurotransmitter pathways, especially in how the gut influences production or availability of serotonin, GABA and dopamine.

A landmark review recommends that gut dysbiosis (microbial imbalance) may contribute to depressive disorders via systemic inflammation, barrier breakdown (leaky gut) and HPA (stress axis) overactivation.

Why Nutrients Matter: Building a Brain-Friendly Menu

Every bite becomes a signal to the brain.

  • Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are anti-inflammatory, support neuronal membrane health and help regulate mood. Studies link higher omega-3 intake to lower depression risk.
  • Magnesium, B vitamins and protein are essential cofactors in neurotransmitter synthesis (serotonin, GABA, dopamine).
  • Fermented foods and prebiotics help feed beneficial gut bacteria, leading to production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) such as butyrate, which strengthen the gut barrier, reduce inflammation, and influence brain chemistry.
  • Regulating blood sugar with low-GI, complex-carbohydrate foods helps avoid energy crashes and supports mood stability.

In Alzheimer’s research, gut microbiota changes are now under scrutiny for their role in amyloid deposition and neuroinflammation. Some studies suggest that altered gut communities may influence disease progression, and that microbial metabolites (like propionate) might slow pathological changes in animal models. 

One mouse model study even found that germ-free Alzheimer’s mice had much less amyloid pathology compared to those with normal gut microbiota, hinting at a microbial role in disease expression.

 

From Theory to Practice: What You’ll Experience on Retreat

During the Mood Food Connection Retreat, participants engage in immersive sessions such as “The Biology of an Unhappy Brain” and “Which is in Charge: Your Gut or Your Brain?” to decode how diet, stress, gut microbes and mood intertwine.

Guests will enjoy menus built around anti-inflammatory, microbiome-supportive ingredients - organic, estate-sourced where possible - including oily fish, leafy greens, legumes, seeds and fermented foods. Each meal is curated not just for flavour, but for function: to feed beneficial bacteria, reduce gut permeability and support neurotransmitter balance.

In conversation, Stephanie shares:

“Gut permeability is a major contributor to anxiety and low mood. When harmful bacteria produce inflammatory compounds that leak into circulation, they may reach the brain and trigger depressive or foggy states.”

Complementing the nutrition work and educational content on the retreat are energy-based practices, such as Emotional Freedom Technique and somatic practices, including an activating Mindful Movement session. Throughout a stay, guests will experience therapies like cranial osteopathy, abdominal massage, reflexology, movement, breath walks and sound/vagal tone therapy. The entire programme assists in nervous system regulation and emotional balance.

 

A Lasting Reset, Not a Pause Button

This retreat offers more than rest; it’s a bridge to sustainable habits. Guests leave with a Happy Brain Action Plan that translates insights into daily practices for digestion, stress resilience and mood support.

Stephanie puts it simply:

“You’ll not only understand how food shapes brain chemistry, you’ll live it, feel it and have the tools to sustain it in your everyday life.”

You can also extend your experience by combining this with the Art & Ice Retreat, exploring cold exposure, breathwork and mindset training through the powerful Wim Hof Method cementing the whole experience with integration time of creative calm in Goodwood’s new Art Foundation as a powerful complement to the Mood Food work.

Discover more about the Mood Food Connection Retreat.

 

 

 

  • mood food

  • Retreats

  • Health & Wellbeing

  • Fitness

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    From £159 per person