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According to a study, junk food also attacks memory!

A recent Australian study measured the impact on the brain of adopting a fatty and sugary diet for one week. According to the results, such a diet affects our brain functions including memory.

A "Western-style" diet

Research on the consequences of junk food continues and it turns out that it does not only cause physical problems. Indeed, some studies have already made the link between the consumption of this kind of food and depression. In their study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science on February 19, 2020, researchers from Macquarie University in Sydney (Australia), mention an impact on the brain and more specifically memory.

Scientists followed 110 students aged 20 to 23 . Separated into two groups, the volunteers were subjected to different diets for a week. The members of the first group ate a balanced diet. Those in the second group ate a rich "Western-style" diet composed of frying and sugar:hamburgers, waffles, milkshakes etc.

According to a study, junk food also attacks memory!

Hippocampus alteration

Before and after this week of dieting, the volunteers were invited to an evaluation day. These have responded to memory tests before and after the meal. It was also a question of questioning them about their cravings for fatty and sweet food as well as their degree of satisfaction after the same meal. Members of the two groups had very different results. Those who followed the fatty and sweet diet during the week performed worse on memory tests. Moreover, it turns out that these same volunteers were also the ones most likely to want to eat fat and sweet right after a meal.

In conclusion, the researchers felt that there was definitely a link between poor diet and affected hippocampus . This area of ​​the brain plays a role in controlling memory and appetite. If it is a question of possible cognitive deficiencies, the researchers also underline a loss of appetite control . Thus, the resulting overeating exposes the person to obesity and other physical problems, synonymous with a real vicious circle.

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