Adopting a diet rich in fructose, a form of sugar commonly found in processed foods and beverages, may result in impaired spatial memory.
Previous studies had reported various health problems such as insulin insensitivity, type 2 diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease following the use fructose, the sweetener commonly found in table sugar, fruit juice concentrates and high fructose corn syrup.
According to a study conducted in Georgia State University, high fructose intake can also impair memory in consumers. It, however, does not influence an individual's ability to learn. Unlike glucose, high levels of triglycerides are produced during the digestion process of fructose within the liver.
This fat can subsequently interfere with the insulin signaling mechanism of the brain, affecting not only the survival of brain cells but also their ability to change based on new experiences. Scientists concluded that the high content of fructose can impair memory.
