A recent study revealed that consuming foods high in fats and sugars for just five days can negatively affect the brain's response to insulin, even without any weight gain.
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The results showed that changes in brain activity might be the foundation for reduced insulin sensitivity, which could lead to obesity and related diseases.
The study, conducted by neuroscientist Stephanie Coleman from the University of Tübingen in Germany, involved 29 healthy adult men. Eighteen of them were put on a high-calorie diet for five days, consuming snacks rich in sugar and fat, such as chocolate, brownies, and potato chips, adding 1200 extra calories per day to their usual diet.
Using MRI scans, the researchers observed blood flow to the brain to study its activity before, during, and after the experimental period. To assess the brain's response to insulin, participants were given a nasal spray of insulin before each scan.
The results showed that the group consuming fast food experienced increased brain activity in three areas associated with responding to dietary changes and the reward system, resembling patterns observed in individuals with obesity and insulin resistance.
Additionally, a decrease in brain activity was noted in two areas linked to memory and responses to visual food-related cues after one week of finishing the unhealthy diet.
The study, whose findings were reported by the Italian magazine "Focus," indicated that these changes in brain activity could serve as a precursor to insulin resistance in the body, which might lead to type 2 diabetes. Previous research has shown that people with brains more sensitive to insulin lose more weight when they change their lifestyle compared to those with insulin resistance.
These findings highlight the rapid and dangerous effects of fast food on the brain, even before any noticeable changes in weight or metabolism occur.
