A study recently published in the Journal of Physiology had some interesting (and sobering) news to share: a diet rich in high-fructose corn syrup can disrupt memory and learning ability. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) performed a study with rats to see how a high fructose diet alters the brain. During the study, they also found that omega-3 fatty acids can help minimize the damage caused by too much of the sweetener. According to a summary from Dr. Biscupid's website:

"The average American consumes more than 40 pounds of high-fructose corn syrup per year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The researchers studied two groups of rats that each consumed a fructose solution as drinking water for six weeks. The second group also received omega-3 fatty acids in the form of flaxseed oil and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which protects against damage to the synapses.

The animals were fed standard rat chow and trained on a maze twice daily for five days before starting the experimental diet. The UCLA team tested how well the rats were able to navigate the maze, which contained numerous holes but only one exit. The scientists placed visual landmarks in the maze to help the rats learn and remember the way.

Six weeks later, the researchers tested the rats' ability to recall the route and escape the maze.

The group of rats that received the omega-3 fatty acid-enhanced diet navigated the maze much faster than the rats that did not, Gomez-Pinilla said. In addition, the DHA-deprived rats developed signs of resistance to insulin, a hormone that controls blood sugar and regulates synaptic function in the brain. A closer look at the rats' brain tissue suggested that insulin had lost much of its power to influence the brain cells.

The researchers suspect that eating too much fructose could block insulin's ability to regulate how cells use and store sugar for the energy required for processing thoughts and emotions."

-All this to say, be mindful of what you eat, and try to choose low-sugar food options as often as possible. You can't go wrong with foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains!
How are you and your family staying healthy and cutting down on high fructose intake?
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