Diets high in fat and sugar can impair spatial memory, a study from the University of Sydney has revealed, reported Xinhua.
The research is the first to directly link these diets to reduced ability in first-person spatial navigation in humans, a key function of the brain's hippocampus, areas of brain thought to be the center of emotion and memory, the University of Sydney said on Monday.
The study involved 55 university students aged 18 to 38 who completed dietary questionnaires, a working memory test, and a body mass index check before navigating a virtual reality maze, according to the study lead, Dominic Tran from the School of Psychology, University of Sydney.
Those who consumed high levels of refined sugar and saturated fats performed significantly worse in recalling the location of a hidden object after multiple trials, said the study published in the International Journal of Obesity.
This suggests a diet high in sugar and fat can impair hippocampal function, even in young adults, Tran said, adding the encouraging news is that these effects are likely reversible through healthier eating.
"Dietary changes can improve the health of the hippocampus, and therefore our ability to navigate our environment, such as when we're exploring a new city or learning a new route home," he said.
The findings add to growing evidence that unhealthy diets not only increase physical health risks but also negatively affect brain function, even in early adulthood when cognitive performance is typically strong, he added.
Tran emphasized the importance of dietary choices for maintaining brain health and preventing cognitive decline.
- Diets
- Memory
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
