American investigators uncovered a concerning link between fast-food consumption and the decline of cognitive functions, primarily memory. Experiments on young rats demonstrated that habitual cheeseburgers, pizza, chips, and sugary sodas negatively affect not only weight but also mental capabilities.
At the University of Southern California (USA), scientists conducted a series of laboratory trials, feeding test animals foods high in fats and sugar. The findings, published in the journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity and highlighted by the ScienceDirect portal, revealed a substantial drop in memory among rats maintained on unhealthy victuals.
It turned out that even a subsequent switch to a balanced diet cannot fully restore lost cognitive functions. Memory impairments might be long-term and require medicinal intervention to restore brain operation.
The experimental group of rats received a diet mimicking typical fast food: peanut oil, crisps, carbonated beverages, and other high-calorie items. The control group consumed wholesome nourishment. During tests on object recognition and recalling their placement, the rats on the “fast-food” regimen showed considerable lagging: the animals struggled to retrieve previously seen objects. Brain analysis of these rats exposed disruptions in the transmission of acetylcholine signals—a key neurotransmitter responsible for memory and nerve impulse relay.
Professor Scott Kanoski from the University of Southern California remarked, “If rats mature on fast food, they develop persistent memory deficits that do not vanish even upon switching to sound nutrition.” According to the researchers, similar outcomes might be observed in humans, especially in adolescents with unformed brains, where excessive intake of unhealthy edibles can adversely impact intellectual abilities.
In addition, diet influences mental capacities during adulthood. For instance, a study led by Hankyung Kim from South Korea indicated that routine cheese consumption benefits the memory of older adults. The poll involved over 1,500 Japanese individuals over 65, and participants who regularly incorporated cheese into their meals exhibited superior performance in cognitive assessments compared to the reference group.
About the Author
