Consuming a diet rich in processed foods, saturated fats and simple sugars is not only associated with metabolic problems and obesity, but also affects cognitive function, points out a new study published in the scientific journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
When investigating neurobiological mechanisms, researchers from the University of Southern California discovered that signaling of the substance acetylcholine in the hippocampus was dysregulated in rats exposed to a junk food diet, compromising functions related to memory.
Acetylcholine is an essential neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system of mammals, including humans. It plays multiple important roles, mainly related to the transmission of signals between nerve cells and target cells.
Lasting impacts
The study concluded that the consumption of hamburgers, fries, ice cream and other ultra-processed foods in adolescence can lead to lasting memory deficits, especially in contextual episodic memory, responsible for long-term information retention.
In laboratory tests with mice, these deficits persisted even after switching to a healthy diet in adulthood. In this way, scholars concluded that the damage caused by may be difficult to completely reverse.
On the other hand, the scientists state that, in the rat study, there were no significant differences in object recognition memory that do not depend on the hippocampus, nor were there observed significant effects on anxiety or locomotor activity.
Risk of dementia
Another study, which followed 10,000 Brazilians for 10 years, highlighted that consuming more than 20% of daily calories from ultra-processed foods can increase the risk of cognitive decline, causing diseases such as dementia.
Diets high in fat, sugar and ultra-processed foods have been linked to faster rates of deterioration in the brain’s executive functions, which include the ability to process information and make decisions.
Men and women who consumed the most of these foods had a 25% faster rate of executive function decline and a 28% faster rate of overall cognitive impairment compared to those who consumed the least ultra-processed foods.
What to eat to improve your brain?
To improve brain health and promote optimal cognitive function, it is important to consume a balanced, nutrient-rich diet. Colorful fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in antioxidants such as strawberries, spinach and kale, help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Fish, such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and herring, are rich in omega-3s. The substance promotes cognitive function and reduces the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Eggs are a source of choline, a component of neurotransmitters that help with communication between brain cells.
Coffee and green tea contain caffeine and antioxidants that can improve concentration, focus and short-term memory, as well as offering protection against cognitive decline.
