Research results that taking an ``unhealthy meal'' as a reward for yourself affects the cognitive function of the brain
Even if you pay attention to your usual eating habits for your health, there are probably many people who occasionally enjoy a sumptuous meal with family and friends, or enjoy eating out after going out for leisure on the weekend. Experiments with rats have shown that cognitive function may be affected if the quality of the diet temporarily declines, such as on weekends, even if you are eating a healthy diet.
Obesogenic Diet Cycling Produces Graded Effects on Cognition and Microbiota Composition in Rats - Kendig - Molecular Nutrition & Food Research - Wiley Online Library
Diet cycling impacts spatial memory: rat study | UNSW Newsroom
https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/health/diet-cycling-impacts-spatial-memory-rat-study
Occasional 'Cheat' Meals Could Affect The Way Your Brain Functions : ScienceAlert
https://www.sciencealert.com/occasional-cheat-meals-could-affect-the-way-your-brain-functions
Many studies have confirmed that diets high in sugar and fat lead to weight gain and cognitive decline in the brain, but the effects of alternating healthy and unhealthy diets is little known.
Therefore, a research team led by Professor Margaret Morris of the University of New South Wales, Australia, has developed a healthy ``normal diet'' for rats and a high-fat and high-sugar ``café diet'' similar to that provided in cafeterias. were given alternately to compare weight and cognitive function test results.
Below is an image of the diet menu of rats grouped by 12 rats, with green indicating the period of eating healthy 'normal food' and pink indicating the period of eating unhealthy 'café food'. The total number of days the rats in the experimental group ate the 'café diet' was the same, but the schedules were divided into a group that alternated in short periods, a group that continued to eat the 'café diet' for a long period of time, and a group in between. On the other hand, the rats in the control group continued to eat 'normal food' all the time.
The researchers weighed the rats in each group and found that the rats who ate the café diet gained more weight than the rats in the control group. We also examined the amount of food eaten, and found that the rats who ate the café diet apparently ate less healthy food afterward, probably because their tongues became fatter, but despite this, they still gained weight. He said.
In addition, it also affected the results of cognitive function tests that recognize and remember the location of objects. When the experimental cycle of eating the café diet began, all groups performed worse on the test than at the beginning of the experiment. The group that ate café food for 16 consecutive days (16 CAF: 4 CHOW in the figure below) had the greatest decline in cognitive function, but the group that ate café food in a short cycle of 2 days (2 CAF: 4 CHOW) also showed deterioration. Approved.
Eating an unhealthy diet led to weight gain regardless of schedule, whereas cognitive function varied by schedule, suggesting that weight and cognitive function are unlikely to be directly related. doing.
The research team believes that `` intestinal flora (so) '' is likely one of the reasons why unhealthy diets have reduced cognitive function.
When the researchers examined the feces of each group of rats, they found that rats on unhealthy diets had higher levels of bad bacteria associated with obesity and lower levels of good bacteria associated with weight control. rice field. This effect was particularly severe in rats with long cycles of unhealthy diets, i.e. rats who ate a continuous cafe diet.
Professor Morris said, ``We know that the gut and the brain are very closely related, so it may be that the intestinal flora changed by diet affects our brain and behavior.'' Did.
It's also possible that an unhealthy diet promoted inflammation in the body, which led to cognitive decline. 'In humans, we've found that diets that increase inflammation may not be beneficial for brain function,' says Professor Morris.
The effects of an unhealthy diet on the brain may not only cause inflammation, but extend to brain structures as well.
Because the results of this study are based solely on observations of rats, the aim is to determine the mechanisms by which healthy and unhealthy food cycles affect cognitive function in rats, and to what extent this applies to humans. needs further research.
On top of that, Professor Morris points out that it is important that 'even subtle changes in eating habits can affect thinking and memory.' This means that eating a healthy diet regularly and for as long as possible is important for maintaining cognitive function.
“I think this research will be important in thinking about how we can keep our brains healthy in old age. If you can stick to a diet high in quality protein, varied and low in saturated fat, you're more likely to maintain your cognition,' concluded Professor Morris.
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