Junk food Diet Can Quickly Interrupt Memory Processing,confirms New Study
New research indicates that a diet high in fat and processed foods can negatively impact brain function almost immediately,even before weight gain or the onset of diabetes. A recent study utilizing mice demonstrated that just four days on a fat-rich diet led to abnormal activity in CCK interneurons, located in the brain’s memory center.
This suggests, according to researchers, that fatty and industrialized foods can affect the brain almost immediately, well before the begining of weight gain or diabetes. However, the study also offers a hopeful outlook, showing that interventions like dietary changes or pharmacological approaches can help protect brain health in cases of obesity-related neurodegeneration. Specifically, intermittent fasting periods following a high-fat diet where sufficient to normalize CCK interneuron activity and improve memory function.
“In the long run, these strategies can help reduce the growing burden of dementia and Alzheimer’s associated with metabolic disorders, offering more holistic care that addresses both the body and the brain,” stated a researcher involved in the study.
Further supporting these findings,a separate study conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital,linked to Harvard University,revealed a link between even modest consumption of ultra-processed foods and increased risk of memory and stroke problems.
This research followed 30,239 individuals aged 45 and older for an average of eleven years. Participants were categorized into four groups based on their intake of processed foods, calculated as a percentage of their daily diet. The study evaluated 14,175 participants for cognitive decline (with no prior cognitive impairment) and 20,243 for stroke risk (with no prior stroke history).
After adjusting for factors like age, gender, and high blood pressure, the study, published in the journal Neurology, found that a 10% increase in ultra-processed food consumption was associated with a 16% higher risk of cognitive impairment.