Unhealthy diet can impair memory in just a few days: new research warns of the dangers of high-fat food
Recent studies conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine shed new light on how poor nutrition affects brain function.
It has been found that consuming a high-calorie, fatty diet can negatively impact cognitive abilities within just a few days.
This discovery opens up promising prospects for preventing memory impairments and neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists highlight that the key players in this process are cholecystokinin (CCK) interneurons in the hippocampus — a critical brain region responsible for memory and learning.
Normally, they regulate pyramidal neuron activity, preventing overload.
However, a high-fat diet pushes these cells into overdrive, disrupting memory encoding and leading to cognitive decline.
Experiments published in the journal Neuron demonstrated that in just four days, a high-fat diet reduced glucose availability in the brain and increased activity of CCK interneurons, impairing memory test results even without weight gain or diabetes development.
Researchers also identified a vital role for the protein pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), which in normal conditions regulates glucose utilization by brain cells.
In deficiency, it causes hyperactivity of CCK interneurons, further harming cognitive processes.
Evidence suggests that ongoing consumption of fatty foods may also elevate risks of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Importantly, scientists emphasize that brain changes are reversible — restoring glucose levels and short-term fasting can help reestablish balance and mitigate adverse effects.
Lead author Juan Song notes that early interventions, including dietary modifications and medications, could protect memory and brain health.
The strategy of combining body and mind care might significantly reduce the burden of metabolic-related neurodegenerative diseases and promote longevity.
Future research aims to explore whether similar mechanisms operate in humans and how fatty diets might influence Alzheimer’s risk.