We must all learn and be aware of the updates in the medical world regarding mental health. If we lose our sanity, it’s usually forever, unfortunately. Consuming specific foods can also play a major role in affecting our mental health, regardless of how much we like to cease our hunger.
According to a new study published in the journal Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity, diets that are high in processed foods are linked to memory impairment. The conclusion comes after monitoring both young and aging rats.
Foods high in refined carbohydrates
A diet that was high in refined carbohydrates, such as it is found in processed foods, was provided to two groups of rats for four weeks. However, only the aging rats showed signs of memory impairment.
Ruth Barrientos, who is the senior author of the new study, declared:
The fact we’re seeing these effects so quickly is a little bit alarming.
Barrientos also said, as quoted by The Hill:
These findings indicate that consumption of a processed diet can produce significant and abrupt memory deficits – and in the aging population, rapid memory decline has a greater likelihood of progressing into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
However, there’s also a good side for the discovery, as Barrientos added while cited by the same source:
By being aware of this, maybe we can limit processed foods in our diets and increase consumption of foods that are rich in the omega-3 fatty acid DHA to either prevent or slow that progression.
Another recent study shows that avoiding highly-processed foods should be on the to-do list of persons with aging brains and who are willing to avoid having a bad memory.
Feel free to leave us your own thoughts in the comment section! Would you avoid eating processed or highly processed foods?
