The combination of fats and carbohydrates may seem like a great idea for food, but the reality is that it is not a combination that our bodies were designed to handle regularly. While combining the two for a delicious treat may seem like a good idea, it can lead to addiction-like behavior and have long-term impacts on the brain.
Some people on the internet will tell you that it does not matter what you eat as long as you balance your calorie intake. While this may be true for body composition, it does not consider certain foods’ impact on the brain.
Studies have shown that carbohydrates and fats are nutritional opposites and trigger completely different signals in the brain. While carbohydrates may create a spike in glucose that energizes the brain, fats have a different impact. Combined, we accentuate that different brain reward signals can lead to addiction-like behavior and override rational decisions.
A study published in Cell Metabolism journal examined post-ingestive signals and how they affect the brain. The study showed that when subjects were fed a standard breakfast and then shown pictures of food, they were more likely to bid on foods that were a combination of carbohydrates and fats. When placed under an fMRI scan, the areas of the brain associated with addiction lit up, indicating that the combination of fats and carbohydrates acted on different reward pathways in the brain.
The combination of fats and carbohydrates is a relatively new phenomenon in our diet. Over the last thousand years, it was unlikely that one would find a combination of carbohydrates and fats in one sitting. However, with modern travel and logistics, it has become all too easy to find a high-calorie diet high in carbohydrates and fats.
The caudate-putamen is a region of the brain associated with habitual behavior. When foods high in both carbohydrates and fats are consumed, this region is activated, indicating that we may be developing unhealthy habits when consuming these foods.
When we switch from one fuel source to another, our brains require a ramp-up period to adjust. This means that a diet high in carbohydrates and fats is not ideal for our brains to function optimally. Higher ketone levels have been shown to improve network stability in the brain.
Ultimately, the combination of fats and carbohydrates is unnatural for our bodies. While small amounts of both are acceptable and healthy, large amounts of both can lead to addiction-like behavior in the brain and have long-term impacts on our cognition.
In conclusion, it is essential to be mindful of what we consume and its impact on our bodies and brains. Combining fats and carbohydrates may create delicious treats, but the impact on our brains can be profound. We must eat in a way that contributes to our overall health and well-being rather than simply focusing on calories in and out.
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Summary of Transcript:
The combination of fats and carbohydrates significantly impacts the brain more than calories alone. A study published in the journal Cell Metabolism found that the combination of fats and carbs triggers very different signals in the brain, ultimately contributing to potentially unhealthy habits and addiction-like behaviors. The study had subjects fast, then fed them a standard breakfast before presenting them with pictures of different foods, some pure carbohydrate, some pure fat, and some a combination of both. The fats and carbohydrate combination foods were the most desired, with fMRI scans showing that this combination of fats and carbs lit up areas of the brain associated with addiction. While consuming a few fats and carbs together is not wrong, consuming unnatural amounts can lead to addiction-like behavior. The study also found that the brain operates best on one fuel at a time, indicating that switching between carbohydrates and fats can cause difficulty for the brain.
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Summary of Description:
The content promotes joining Thrive Market for a 30% discount and a gift. The video discusses the dangers of eating junk food and its adverse effects on combining carbs and fats, the brain, and network stability. The channel relies on brand partnerships to provide free content, and references are provided for further reading. Timestamps are included for easy navigation.
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Source Description
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The REAL Danger of Eating Junk Food
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References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550413118303255
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1913042117
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4765362/
Timestamps ⏱
0:00 – Intro – The REAL Danger of Eating Junk Food
1:20 – Join Thrive Market Today to get 30% Off Your First Order AND a Free Gift Worth up to $60!
1:51 – What Happens When You Combine Carbs & Fats
4:40 – What Happens to the Brain?
6:31 – Network Stability
