UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY

Switching to a Healthy Diet May Partially Reverse Memory Damage from High-Fat, High-Sugar Foods, but Sugar's Effects May Linger

- A systematic review of 27 rodent studies found that switching from a high-fat, high-sugar diet to healthy chow improved memory performance, though not to levels seen in consistently healthy-fed animals. - Memory recovery was more pronounced after high-fat diets alone; diets high in sugar or combined high-fat/high-sugar showed less recovery, suggesting sugar may cause more persistent cognitive impairment. - Researchers and neurologists emphasize that prevention is more powerful than rescue, as some diet-induced cognitive changes may be lasting. - Experts call for human trials and greater stratification of specific fats and sugars to clarify their distinct effects on memory and brain health.