Research Connects High-Fat, High-Sugar Diets to Cognitive Decline

Sydney, April 22 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking study, scientists have established a connection between high-fat and high-sugar diets and reduced cognitive capabilities.

The research team from the University of Sydney investigated how high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS) diets—especially those rich in refined sugars and saturated fats—impact first-person spatial navigation.

Spatial navigation refers to the ability to learn and recall a route from one place to another, which can serve as a measure of the health of the brain's hippocampus, as detailed in the study published in the International Journal of Obesity.

Dr. Dominic Tran, from the Faculty of Science's School of Psychology, spearheaded the research, revealing that HFHS diets negatively affect certain cognitive functions.

These effects are likely concentrated in the hippocampus, a vital brain structure for both spatial navigation and memory formation, rather than impacting the entire brain.

“The encouraging aspect is that we believe this condition is easily reversible,” Dr. Tran remarked. “Modifications to one's diet can enhance hippocampal health and, as a result, improve our ability to navigate our surroundings, whether we're exploring a new city or learning a different route home.”

The research team enlisted 55 university students, aged 18 to 38.

Participants filled out questionnaires to assess their consumption of sugary and fatty foods, underwent a working memory evaluation through a number recall exercise, and had their body mass index (BMI) measured.

The actual experiment involved participants navigating a virtual reality maze to find a treasure chest six times. The maze included landmarks that participants could utilize to remember their path. The start point and the treasure chest's location remained consistent throughout each trial.

If participants located the treasure in under four minutes, they progressed to the next trial. If they could not find it within that timeframe, they were teleported to the treasure's position and given 10 seconds to familiarize themselves with the new location before proceeding to the next trial.

Participants with lower fat and sugar consumption demonstrated a higher accuracy in locating the treasure compared to those who consumed these foods multiple times a week.

“After adjusting for working memory and BMI, which were measured separately from the experiment, participants' intake of sugar and fat was a reliable predictor of their performance in that final, seventh, test,” Dr. Tran stated.

Dr. Tran emphasized the significance of making healthy dietary choices to support optimal brain function.

It has long been recognized that excessive consumption of refined sugars and saturated fats increases the risk of obesity, metabolic issues, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Additionally, these unhealthy eating patterns can accelerate age-related cognitive decline in middle-aged and older individuals.

“This study provides evidence that diet plays a crucial role in brain health during early adulthood, a phase when cognitive functions are typically at their peak,” Dr. Tran concluded.