Health
How Trans Fat Eats Away at Your Memory
This photo provided by Dunkin’ Donuts on Monday, May 5, 2014 shows a selection of the doughnuts they sell. (AP Photo/Dunkin Donuts)
(Time) – What’s the opposite of brain food?
Trans fat, finds a new study presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2014. Eating a lot of the compound that magically rejuvenates junk food that should have expired long ago is linked to higher rates of memory impairment.
After analysis of food questionnaires and memory tests from about 1,000 adult men, trans fat intake was linked to worse memory in people under age 45, even after controlling for mind-influencing factors like age, depression and education. Every gram of trans fat eaten per day was linked to 0.76 fewer words recalled. Put another way? Those who ate the most trans fat remembered 11 fewer words.
