Burgers, fries, onion rings and fried chicken – all of these junk foods can rewire the brain’s memory hub
At Men’s Fitness, we like to think we bring you enough sensible fuelling advice for you to make the right food choices – especially if you’re looking to make fitness gains or build muscle.
Our recipes are packed full of nutritious ingredients and the right combination of protein and carbs to fuel your day – and your fitness.
Should you be tempted to stray (and we’re not saying you need to be a monk!), just remember everything in moderation. Why? Well, scientists have discovered that eating junk food can scramble your brain in just four days!
A new study from UNC School of Medicine researchers, published in Neuron, reveals a unique look at how junk food rewires the brain’s memory hub – leading to risk of cognitive dysfunction.
Within just four days, neurons in the hippocampus became overactive, impairing memory. Restoring glucose calmed the neurons, showing that interventions like fasting or dietary shifts can restore brain health.
The discovery also showed that a protein called PKM2, which controls how brain cells use energy, plays a key role in this problem.
“We knew that diet and metabolism could affect brain health, but we didn’t expect to find such a specific and vulnerable group of brain cells,” said UNC’s Juan Song, PhD, principal investigator.
“What surprised us most was how quickly these cells changed their activity in response to reduced glucose availability, and how this shift alone was enough to impair memory.”
So, next time you reach for the burger and fries, think twice – while you still can!
