Cheat days can badly affect your memory, new gym study finds
A regular weekend indulgence of a pub schnitzel and fries may impair your memory and undo the good work of eating well, a new study has found.
According to research from UNSW published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, alternating clean eating and occasionally cheating on junk food can affect your spatial memory and wreak havoc on the gut microbiome, causing people to gain weight.
The popular diet trend has become all the rage for sports junkies, and even celebrities like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson regularly promote his indulgent “cheat days.”
A regular weekend indulgence of a pub schnitzel and fries can erode your memory and undo the good work of eating well, a new study has found (pictured, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson who has promoted his own indulgent cheat days)
But during the study, adult male rats were fed a healthy diet of rat chow, while some were fed a “cafeteria diet” of highly processed and sugary foods.
Some rats were given unhealthy food for shorter or longer binges.
Rats fed an unhealthy diet performed worse in “spatial memory” tests, which involved remembering where objects were placed.
The results got worse the longer the rats ate the unhealthy food for more days in a row or ate junk food for longer, researchers said.
Poor nutrition also led to negative changes in their gut microbiome, increasing levels of bad bacteria associated with obesity and increasing levels associated with the ability to manage your weight.
It’s possible that a number of factors caused the change in diet to affect the rats’ memories, including their gut microbiome, say researchers Mike Kendig and Margaret Morris.
Poor nutrition also led to negative changes in their gut microbiome, increasing levels of bad bacteria associated with obesity and increasing levels associated with the ability to manage your weight (stock image)
‘We know that the gut is strongly connected to our brain. Changes in the microbiome in response to our diet can affect our brains and behavior,” said Dr. Morris.
Eating an unhealthy diet can lead to additional inflammation in the body, which impairs brain function, she said.
The study builds on previous research that linked high-fat, high-sugar diets with poorer cognition, in rats and humans.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson treats himself after his workout with a hefty ‘cheat meal’ including two large burgers and a bottle of TEQUILA
By Codie Bullen for Mailonline
He is known for going to the gym to maintain his muscular physique.
But on Sunday, Dwayne Johnson showed he can still enjoy the occasional “cheat meal” when he shared a short clip with his 332 million Instagram followers of his very first meal from US fast food chain In-N-Out.
The actor, 50, indulged in junk food after his workout, which included two huge burgers with a mountain of fries on the side.
Health: Dwayne Johnson, who is known for his muscular physique, showed that he can still enjoy the occasional ‘cheat meal’ as he shared a short clip with his 332 million Instagram followers on Sunday
In the video, Dwayne showed off the delicious food before knocking back a glass of tequila.
The Rock said, “It’s Sunday, around 11 p.m., and it’s Sunday cheat meal for all of us around the world – especially for me here.
And the reason why this is history in the making is because this is the very first time I’ve ever tried an In-N-Out burger or In-N-Out fries, whatever from In-N-Out .
When he started feasting, he continued, “I’ve never tried it before, so this is a first.” The chips are tasty, so we’re off to a good start.’
Cheat meal: The actor, 50, indulged in junk food, including two huge burgers with a mountain of fries on the side after his workout
He seemed to enjoy what he tasted and wrote on Instagram his first impression of the food chain: “A #cheatmealsunday for the history books! My first time eating @innout.
‘A solid start with a bite of good fries, because we know s***ty fries can ruin the whole experience.
“Mixed the main course with a (quite delicious) combo pour from @Teremana Blanco & @Teremana Reposado – as a founder I make up the tequila rules.”
The star added a thumbs-up emoji, before adding, “This cheeseburger connoisseur will now add In & Out to” the list. Enjoy your cheat meals, my friends.’
The Rock said, “It’s Sunday, around 11pm, and it’s Sunday cheat meal for all of us around the world – especially for me here
Junk food: In the video, Dwayne showed off the delicious food before knocking back a glass of tequila
It is surprising that the actor has time to hit the gym, considering how many new projects he has on his schedule.
In the new DC League of Super Pets animated movie, Dwayne lends his unmistakable voice to Krypto the Super-Dog, who shares the same incredible powers as his owner Superman.
Together they fight crime in Metropolis, but he is tested like never before when Superman is kidnapped and Krypto must save him… despite the loss of his own powers.
He forms a team of shelter animals who have been given superpowers to help save Superman and the rest of the Justice League.
Johnson leads an all-star voice cast that includes regular collaborators Kevin Hart, Vanessa Bayer, Natasha Lyonne, Diego Luna, Marc Maron, Kate McKinnon, Keanu Reeves, Dascha Polanco, Ben Schwartz, Jemaine Clement, Daveed Diggs, Jameela Jami, Olivia Wilde and Thomas Middelditch.
Jared Stern and Sam Levine direct the animated superhero adventure, which will face new movie Vengeance in theaters plus the re-release of A24’s Everything Everywhere All At Once.
Box office forecasters have projected an opening weekend of between $40 million and $60 million for the animated adventure.