Research indicates that the brain can be trained to prefer unhealthy food choices, but that same type of training can teach the brain to produce preferences towards low calorie, nutrient packed foods as well.

A new study, published in Nutrition & Diabetes, used MRIs to monitor changes in the brain as eight of the 13 participants partook in a specially designed diet plan. The remaining five participants served as the control group.

At the start of the study, each participant was given an MRI to determine their baseline brain circuitry. Another scan was conducted at the end of six months and from these scans researchers discovered significant changes to the circuits in the brain for those following the diet plan. These changes were especially notable in the addiction and reward centers of the brain.

Researchers for this study were drawing off of evidence from other studies that has established that consuming sugar can change circuitry in the brain in a way that produces more cravings for sugary foods. They wanted to know if the same changes could occur in favor of healthier foods.

What they ended up with is possibly the first physical record of the change actually happening.

Scientists note that the tendencies towards preferring certain types of food do not come quickly. Rather, they happen over time and with several exposures to those types of food. Thus, they claim that a person who works to expose themselves to healthy food options can sustain weight loss better through the rewiring of the brain over time in a way that diminishes cravings for junk foods and increases cravings for nutrient packed items.