According to foreign media such as People on the 6th, researchers at the University of New South Wales in Australia said in a paper published in the international journal The Journal of Nutritional Physiology that “Eating high-fat foods immediately reduces the ability to control blood flow to the brain,” adding, “The milkshake used in the experiment is like a brain bomb.”
The researchers provided 20 men aged 18 to 35 and 21 men aged 60 to 80 with milkshakes containing about 1,362 ㎉ calories, 48 grams of carbohydrates, and 9.5 grams of protein. The drink was made by mixing 350 ml of whipped cream, two tablespoons of chocolate syrup, one tablespointer of sugar, and one tablespointer of skim milk.
Participants measured blood flow changes with ultrasound while performing squat exercises before and four hours after drinking the beverage.
As a result, the ability to expand blood vessels decreased in both age groups, and the brain’s blood flow control function was also decreased. In particular, this adverse effect was about 10% more pronounced in the elderly.
The researchers said, “If the brain’s ability to self-regulate due to changes in blood pressure is impaired, excessive blood may flow or shortages may occur in the moment. If this condition continues for a long time, it increases the risk of diseases such as stroke and dementia,” and warned, “Sometimes high-fat meals will not cause much harm in the long term, but even if you eat them once, it will have an immediate effect on your body.”
JULIE KIM
US ASIA JOURNAL
