Is fat good? Is fat bad? The question will probably be in debate forever. But one thing seems to be for certain—a high fat diet is not the way to go. And now, there’s a new reason not to do it.
A new study done at the University of Montreal has shown that a high-fat diet can, among other things, affect brain functions that are parts of mood disorders and addictions. They also found that this only occurs with saturated fats, not unsaturated ones.
Interestingly, in the tests performed on rats, all three groups’ weights and insulin levels remained about the same. But those on a diet high in saturated fats were found to have “significantly blunted dopamine function,” meaning that the rats would need much more of the saturated fats to get the same feeling of reward as those who were on unsaturated fat or low fat diets.
Of course, this kind of behavior is exactly the kind related to addiction, where addicts or overeaters feel like over time, they need more of whatever they’re addicted to in order to get the same response. But one doesn’t even have to be an addict to experience this behavior. If someone is just consuming more saturated fat than they should, they may begin a spiral in which they eat more high-fat and high-sugar foods in order to feel good.
This is the first ever study that shows that your brain can be affected by a high fat diet, even if you don’t experience a weight change. It also only shows this effect on the brain for saturated fats, so the jury is still out on those mono- and poly-unsaturated fats that we love so much.
So think twice before you drink that buttered coffee, and always, ALWAYS read labels!
What do you think of this new finding?
Photo Copyright © 2010 katerha/Flickr
