A new study from Ohio State University suggests that a diet high in saturated fat can cause brain inflammation and impair memory in older adults, regardless of obesity status. Researchers compared young and old rats fed a high-fat diet for three days or three months, finding that only the older rats showed significant changes in brain function and inflammation.
The study used a high-fat diet with 60% of calories coming from fat, similar to common fast-food options like burgers and sandwiches. The researchers found that even short-term exposure to a high-fat diet caused inflammation and changes in gut bacteria, which can lead to metabolic problems and impaired memory.
In contrast, younger rats were less affected by the high-fat diet, likely due to their ability to activate anti-inflammatory responses. However, older rats showed significant brain inflammation and impaired memory, regardless of the duration of the high-fat diet.
The study’s senior author, Ruth Barrientos, notes that obesity is often linked with unhealthy diets, but this research focuses on the direct effects of a high-fat diet on the brain. The findings suggest that an unhealthy diet high in fat can make matters worse for older adults, even if they are not obese.
This study was published in the journal Immunity & Ageing and provides new insights into the impact of diet on cognitive function and aging.
Source: https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2025/03/10/ohio-study-diet-memory