An animal-model study published in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity has linked a diet high in processed foods to memory impairment when compared with a healthy diet. The study diet mimicked ready-to-eat human foods that are often packaged for long shelf lives, such as potato chips and other snacks, frozen entrees like pasta dishes and pizzas, and deli meats containing preservatives.

In humans, highly processed diets have also been associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes, suggesting consumers, especially older consumers, might want to scale back on convenience foods and add foods rich in DHA, such as salmon, to their diets, the researchers said

The researchers were alarmed when they discovered that the harm to the animal’s brains in this study, especially in older animals, was evident in only four weeks.

“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,” said researcher Ruth Barrientos.

As I’ve told you before, your brain is what you eat.

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2021. This blog provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.