European food producers are already working hard to comply with strict regulations that reduce the fat content of all their products. So, any further reductions will be unwelcome.
Researchers in the United States have advocated for this after finding that adults who consume a high-fat diet can experience memory loss or brain inflammation after only three days.
Does high-fat diet damage brain?
Scientists from Ohio State University studied the effects of high fat diets on brain health by feeding groups of rats aged between 3 and 6 months a diet rich in saturated fats.
After only three days, the team discovered that older rats showed signs of inflammation in their brains and performed poorly during memory tests.
Ruth Barrientos is the senior author of the study. She says that the results refute the notion that obesity drives diet-related brain inflammation. The effects of processed and fatty foods on the brain have been studied in the past, but the effect of eating unhealthy food, regardless of weight, has not been explored.
Barrientos says that obesity and unhealthy diets are related, but not synonymous. We’re looking at the direct effects of diet on the brain. We showed that neuroinflammatory changes are happening within 3 days, even before the obesity begins.
Researchers had studied diet’s effects on the brain and believed older adults were more affected, because aging causes a long-term “priming”, of the brain inflammatory profile. The loss of brain cells is a result.
Barrientos says that young animals are more resistant to memory effects of a high-fat diet. We think that it’s likely because they are able to trigger compensatory anti-inflammatory reactions, which older animals do not.
The high-fat diet that was used for the study contained 60% fat. This is equivalent to the calories found in a McDonald’s Double Smoky BLT Quarter Pounder with Cheese and a Burger King Double Whopper.
Chocolate, processed meats and cheese are also high in saturated fats. (Image: Getty/carlosgaw)
Some of the other foods that are high in saturated fats are milk chocolate and white, cakes and biscuits, pastries and pies.
Researchers tested the memory of animals after they had been on high fat diets for 3 days or 3 months. These are common problems in dementia patients. The two types of memory are located in different brain regions – the amygdala, the fear center and the primary memory center.
After only three days, rats aged over 20 displayed behaviors that indicated both types of memories were impaired. These behaviours continued to persist even after the rats had been on a high-fat food diet for 3 months.
After three days, the team observed changes in brain cytokine levels (small proteins that are important for cell signaling), which indicated a dysregulated inflammation response. After three months on a high-fat food diet, the team observed that some cytokine (small proteins important in cell signaling) levels were altered, but they remained dysregulated. Cognitive problems also persisted.
Barrientos says that a departure from baseline markers of inflammation is a bad response. It has also been proven to affect learning and memory.
It’s vital to note that the studies conducted were on rats, not humans. Therefore further research is needed to determine if this effect occurs in humans.
Food industry: its role
For years, health experts have urged the food industry, in particular, to reduce trans- and saturated-fats from its products. Typically, however, the focus has been on weight loss and heart health.
The research could be used to support calls for a tighter restriction on the consumption of saturated fats.
It’s likely that it will affect foods of all types, since adults are most affected. However, children can protect their brains by making changes while still in childhood.