Eating alone and social isolation in general can have drastic effects on you, not just physically, but mentally as well. A 2019 study published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity showed that, when exposed to Salmonella typhi bacteria, lonely people experienced an overactive immune response. In addition, people who are socially disengaged can produce more chemicals in the body that promote inflammation (such as fibrinogen), as evidenced by a 2021 study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience.
According to a 2021 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, loneliness has the ability to have an impact on the body’s cytokines, growth factors, antibodies, and the activity of the immune cells. In addition, metabolic processes in the body can also be affected, which can have an impact on stress responses, fat metabolism, blood sugar control, and even cognitive behavior and mental health.
