Scientists have shown that junk food impairs spatial memory

Scientists at the University of New South Wales have found how high-fat and high-sugar foods affect cognitive function in rats.

In a study published in the Journal Science Report, scientists divided rodents into four groups. For six weeks, rats in the first group ate junk food for three consecutive days, rats in the second group for five consecutive days and rats in the third group for six consecutive days. The fourth group only took healthy diet as control group.

Two series of tests were conducted on all rats to test their ability to remember objects in special boxes.

The results showed that spatial memory deteriorated to a certain extent with the frequency of animals getting unhealthy food. In addition, the longer rodents eat unhealthy food, the worse their ability to remember spatial information.

Margaret Morris, the lead researcher of the study, explained: "We all know that lowering unhealthy food to a healthy diet is good for our overall health and performance, and this article shows that it is also important to optimize brain function."

Scientists have previously studied changes in brain regions affected by unhealthy food, which are responsible for spatial positioning and navigation.

Earlier this month, researchers explained the difference in memory between men and women. Scientists found that women had better situational memory, while men were better at memorizing spatial information.