A new study from the University of Sydney links high-fat, high-sugar (HFHS) diets to impaired brain function. It particularly affects spatial navigation ability. The research adds to the growing body of evidence connecting unhealthy diets to cognitive decline.
Published in the International Journal of Obesity, the study is the first to test in humans. It focuses on how diets high in refined sugar and saturated fats affect cognitive abilities. This is particularly relevant to spatial navigation. This process helps evaluate the health of the hippocampus, a brain structure crucial for memory and spatial awareness.
IMPACT ON THE HIPPOCAMPUS AND BRAIN HEALTH
The research, led by Dr. Dominic Tran from the University of Sydney‘s Faculty of Science, showed that HFHS diets impair cognitive performance. They particularly affect tasks requiring memory and navigation. The hippocampus, vital for learning and memory, seems most affected by these diets, rather than the entire brain.
“We believe the effects are reversible,” Dr. Tran stated. “Dietary changes can enhance hippocampal health. This improvement aids spatial navigation. It is useful when navigating a new city or learning a new route.”
TESTING SPATIAL NAVIGATION IN VIRTUAL REALITY
To examine the impact of diet on spatial navigation, the research team recruited 55 university students aged 18 to 38. Participants completed questionnaires on their intake of fatty and sugary foods and underwent working memory tests. The team also measured participants’ body mass index (BMI).
The experiment involved a virtual reality maze where participants were tasked with locating a treasure chest. They had six attempts, and if they failed, they were given a chance to familiarise themselves with the location before the next round. The seventh trial removed the chest, requiring participants to recall its location purely from memory.
DIET’S EFFECT ON MEMORY AND SPATIAL AWARENESS
The results were telling. Participants with lower fat and sugar intake performed better in the final memory test, accurately recalling the treasure’s location. Those with higher fat and sugar consumption struggled more in spatial navigation tasks.
“After controlling for working memory and BMI, sugar and fat intake was a reliable predictor of performance,” said Dr. Tran. This highlights the importance of good dietary choices for maintaining brain health, particularly in early adulthood.
BROAD IMPACT OF POOR DIET ON COGNITIVE HEALTH
Dr. Tran emphasized that while the research sample may not fully represent the general population, the findings are significant. “It’s likely that a broader sample would show an even more pronounced effect of diet on spatial navigation,” he added.
This study provides crucial evidence. Dietary habits, particularly the consumption of refined sugar and saturated fats, influence brain function in early adulthood. This period typically experiences minimal cognitive decline.
A WAKE-UP CALL FOR DIETARY CHOICES
The dangers of excessive fat and sugar intake are widely recognized in terms of obesity and cardiovascular diseases. This study also links poor diets to cognitive decline at a much earlier age.
“We already know that these diets speed up cognitive decline in older adults. This research shows that diet is also crucial for brain health in young adults,” Dr. Tran explained.
IMPROVING DIET FOR BETTER BRAIN FUNCTION
This groundbreaking research emphasizes the importance of making better dietary choices to safeguard cognitive health. Young adults can potentially protect their brains from early cognitive decline. They achieve this by reducing refined sugar and saturated fat. This ensures better mental performance well into the future.
