A new study from France found that chronic consumption of refined carbohydrates between meals was associated with cognitive decline in both men and women. This effect persisted even when energy intake and many other factors were controlled. This research personality and individual differences.
Each animal species is adapted to a specific diet. Their digestive processes tend to be specialized to effectively digest certain types of food. Because of this, sudden changes in eating habits usually cause health problems because the digestive system can’t adapt to new types of food.
For most Westerners, a drastic change in diet occurred in the late 20th century.th The century when industrialized food began to become commonplace. These foods often contained high concentrations of refined carbohydrates such as primary sucrose, fiber-depleted gelatinous starches, and high-sugar corn syrup.
This dietary change was associated with increased incidence of obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dental caries, hypertension, and many other diseases. The physiological mechanisms involved in the development of these diseases are currently characterized by recurrent concentrations of glucose in the bloodstream (hyperglycemia) and excess levels of insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and the concomitant responsiveness of cells to the effects of insulin. is thought to be involved in a decrease in insulin resistance (insulin resistance). Glucose is a simple sugar that is our body’s primary source of energy, whereas insulin is a hormone that facilitates the uptake of glucose into cells.
Study author Leonard Giroud and his colleagues wanted to investigate whether consumption of refined carbohydrates affects cognition in healthy young people. The researchers noted that previous studies of the long-term effects of carbohydrate intake have mostly been done in older adults and in the context of certain medical conditions. Data on the effects of chronic intake of refined carbohydrates on young, healthy adults are lacking. They designed an experiment.
Participants were 95 healthy young people aged 20-30 years recruited from the University of Montpellier, France. They came to the lab early in the morning in groups of three or four. Researchers first measured blood sugar levels. Participants then completed a cognitive assessment test (Wechsler’s Number Symbol Substitution Cognitive Test). We were then served one of two breakfasts.
Each type of breakfast contained 500 kcal, one consisting of unrefined carbohydrates (whole grain bread, butter, cheese, raw fruit, unsweetened beverages) and one consisting of refined carbohydrates ( French baguette made from industrially milled wheat flour). Jams, fruit juices, sugar-free drinks are also available).
The breakfast served is randomly selected each day. After breakfast, participants completed a questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, physical activity levels, and dietary habits. One and a half hours after his breakfast, the participant’s blood glucose level was measured again and he completed one more cognitive assessment (Wechsler Cognitive Test). During these steps, researchers measured the participants’ height and weight.
The results showed that 40% of men and 54% of women eat afternoon snacks ( Le Goutet, a traditional afternoon snack or tea time). Twenty-five percent of him, both men and women, ate snacks between meals. Higher intake of refined carbohydrates between meals and higher energy intake in afternoon snacks were associated with lower cognitive performance.
A similar but weaker association was observed for energy intake at breakfast. Breakfast taken on the same day was not associated with cognitive performance. Men with higher BMI tended to perform worse on cognitive assessments than women did.
“Recent changes in the diet of Westerners, largely characterized by a significant increase in intake of refined carbohydrates, are well known to have adverse health effects. Our study reinforces our belief that the most promising research should focus on prevention in healthy people, given the increasing number of HIV and the repeated failure of many treatments.” the study authors concluded.
This study makes a valuable contribution to scientific knowledge about the link between dietary choices and cognitive performance. However, it should be noted that the study design did not consider causal conclusions. Consuming more refined carbohydrates between meals may impair cognitive performance, but it is also possible that people with lower cognitive performance tend to consume more refined carbohydrates between meals. This is not the only possibility.
the study, “Chronic refined carbohydrate consumption as measured by fluctuations in glycemic load and cognitive performance in healthy individualsby Leonard Guillou, Valerie Durand, Michelle Raymond, and Claire Bertica.