Scientists have discovered that one week of a fatty and sugary diet is enough to alter our memory.
No need for years of questionable food to degrade our health, one week is enough and would not only make us gain weight but also impair our brain functions. The researchers followed 110 students aged 20 to 23 to arrive at these results, which they published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.
Alteration of the hippocampus
The researchers separated the volunteers into two groups: one following a balanced diet while the other adopted a diet based on fried foods and sugar found in fast food, such as burgers, milkshakes and waffles. At the end of the experiment, they followed a series of evaluations with a memory test before and after the meal, an evaluation of their cravings for foods high in sugar, such as industrial cereals, as well as their satisfaction after eating.
The results showed that the group of volunteers who followed the fatty and sugary diet scored lower on the memory test and were more likely to eat bad food after they finished their meal. “This study may suggest a link between poor diet and impairment of the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in controlling memory and appetite.said Rachel Batterham, endocrinologist, at the Guardian.
A vicious circle
The scientists add that fatty and sugary meals could generate cognitive impairments and modify their appetite, leading to an overeating of fatty and sugary products. This food contributes to the development of obesity and diabetes which also contribute to a decline in brain performance. A vicious circle of which the researchers specify that the mechanisms remain to be clarified.
Conversely, a recent study has shown that a good diet, with a majority of fruits and vegetables, boosts memory and helps prevent heart problems. Another recent study adds that drinking orange juice helps build memory.
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