DIET AND COGNITION IN AGING: EFFECTS OF HIGH-FAT-SUGAR DIETS ON MEMORY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
2024

Effects of High-Fat-Sugar Diets on Memory and Executive Functioning in Older Adults

Sample size: 472 publication

Author Information

Author(s): Atak Selen, Boye Alyssa, Botoseneanu Anda, Pecina Susana, Liu Zhong-Xu

Primary Institution: University of Michigan Dearborn

Hypothesis

Whether high-fat and high-sugar diets affect memory and executive functioning in older adults.

Conclusion

Higher consumption of high-fat and high-sugar diets is associated with more subjective memory complaints in older adults, particularly in those under 65 years of age.

Supporting Evidence

  • Higher HFS diet consumption in young adults was linked to lower performance on memory tasks.
  • In older adults, higher HFS consumption was associated with more subjective memory complaints.
  • Age influenced the relationship between HFS consumption and cognitive performance.

Takeaway

Eating a lot of fatty and sugary foods might make older people feel like they have worse memory, especially if they are younger than 65.

Methodology

Participants reported their high-fat and high-sugar diet consumption and completed memory and executive functioning tasks.

Limitations

The study may not account for all health factors affecting cognition in older adults.

Participant Demographics

Participants aged 50 to 85 years, average age 62.6.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.3042

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication