The Standard American Diet really is SAD. It’s bad for our brains and our mental health. However, there is a little good news, running can help prevent some of the negative effects.
Research published in Brain Medicine found that running can protect the brain from some of the damage caused by high-fat, high-sugar diets. It seems to improve mood while reducing depression-like behaviours, at least it works for rats.
In the study, rats were fed either a healthy, balanced diet or a fast-food diet, full of sugary, fatty foods, for seven and a half weeks. Some of them also had access to a running wheel, letting them exercise whenever they wanted. The runners had better mental health—even when they were eating the rat version of the Standard American Diet ☹️.
You can’t outrun all the ill effects. The high-fat diet blocked the usual boost in new brain cells that comes with exercise. Normally, exercise results in new brain cells in the hippocampus, the area responsible for memory. While running can boost mood, it can’t completely undo the results of a junk-food diet.
Running can protect mental health—even if your diet isn’t perfect. But, for the best brain benefits, it’s worth eating better too.
UPFs are changing brains
Another study from the University of Helsinki has linked the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) with changes in the brain. They think these changes are also linked to overeating or addictive eating patterns.
This study scanned the brains of 30,000 adults and revealed noticeable differences in brain structure among those who frequently consumed UPFs. The researchers were trying to find out how a SAD diet could affect our brains.
Study author Arsène Kanyamibwa from the University of Helsinki says,
In particular, processed foods of plant origin, such as frozen vegetables, can be recommended. In contrast, foods high in chemically modified ingredients and additives, such as processed meat products, are problematic. Given the growing body of evidence, reducing ultra-processed food intake and strengthening regulatory standards in food manufacturing may be crucial steps toward ensuring better public health outcomes.
You don’t need to wait to look after your health. Choosing whole, plant-based foods, increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables and whole grains means better overall health.
Get all the mood-boosting benefits of running without eating processed foods, and your brain would be better for it!
Change your mind, change your health,
Shayla
Eat better, live better and feel better.
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